Salisbury University’s Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art recently announced additional gifts totaling $200,000 for the museum’s 2014-2016 Soar to New Heights capital campaign. The campaign’s goal is $1,500,000 to support the expansion of the Ward Museum and much-needed capital improvements to the galleries and facility.
The Ward Museum received $75,000 in two grants from Maryland Heritage Area Authority (MHAA), $50,000 from Henry & Judy Stansbury, $25,000 from the Rogers-Wilbur Foundation, $25,000 from the Hazel Family Charitable Fund, and $25,000 from the Humphrey’s Foundation.
“We are thrilled to receive this additional support for the Soar to New Heights campaign from private donors, foundations and state grants,” said Lora Bottinelli, executive director of the Ward Museum. “This expansion and additional improvements should enable the museum to meet its educational service goals for the coming decade.”
The centerpiece of the campaign is the John A Luetkemeyer Sr. and Thomas F. Mullan Jr. Legacy Center. The new building will add 2,200 square feet to the museum and be used as an education center and flexible meeting space to serve the growing needs of educational and cultural programs for all ages. The center will enable the museum to serve grade-wide school field trips for the first time. It will also incorporate environmentally sustainable design, including solar paneling and geothermal technology.
Funds raised also will support gallery renovations, including the museum’s namesake Ward Brothers Gallery and collection preservation.
“We are looking to the future growth of the museum,” said Dr. Kent Kimmel, board chair of the Ward Foundation. “The new facility, located right on Schumaker Pond, will provide opportunities for school-aged children to experience nature directly, face-to-face, that they might not normally get. We are growing the museum so the next generation can continue to experience the art, nature and tradition of our region.”
For more information contact Bottinelli at 410-742-4988 or lmbottinelli@salisbury.edu; or visit the Ward Museum website at www.wardmuseum.org.
