CMM Receives One Million Dollar Endowment From Chairman Dave Truitt

The Chicago Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the organization is the recipient of the $1,000,000.00 Capt. Dave Truitt Chicago Maritime Museum Endowment Fund. Announced during the museum's annual benefit, Waterways for All, on Thursday evening, the endowment will provide an income stream that can be used to fund operations and projects.

"Tonight, thanks to the generosity and vision of our chairman, we are now the recipient of the largest gift ever to our museum," says Jerry Thomas, CMM Vice Chairman and Treasurer. "The endowment truly puts the Chicago Maritime Museum on the map in terms of sustainability and philanthropy. Most importantly, this gift is the start of sustainable operations funding to allow the museum to focus on providing our patrons and visitors with engaging maritime exhibits and lively educational events.”

The Chicago Maritime Museum, located on the River Level of the Bridgeport Art Center at 35th Street and Racine Ave., opened in July of 2016. The museum offers visitors a chronological walk through local maritime history including the eras of French fur traders, sail and steam-powered vessels, modern commercial Great Lakes frigates, recreational sailing and the Ralph and Rita Frese Canoe Collection. Designed by renowned architect and CMM board member Dirk Lohan, the 10,000-square-foot museum serves as a window into Chicago’s maritime history.

​The museum's newly restored lobby includes interactive storytelling about the importance of the city's waterways by key founders of Chicago. The museum also plans to create an exhibit of the adventures of Chicago-born Captain Bill Pinkney, the first African-American sailor to solo-circumnavigate the globe via the five great capes.