Road signs as you enter Bristol, Rhode Island, founded in 1680, proudly proclaim “Home of America’s Oldest Fourth of July Celebration”. Each year over 100,000 people visit the town of 24,000 to participate in or view its marvelous Independence Day parade. Nicknamed “America’s Most Patriotic Town,” even the traffic lines along the parade route are painted Red, White, and Blue year-round. Most years a US naval warship anchors in the harbor and its sailors march in the parade.
For 13 years, the halfway point of the parade route has been marked by the presumed tallest flagpole in the state, located on The Herreshoff Marine Museum’s waterfront along the parade route. The flagpole is 107 ft tall, complete with gaff and crosstrees, and displayed an enormous American flag during the parade each year.
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Sadly, when the flagpole was taken down for maintenance in the fall of 2013 it was discovered that there is extensive rot in the lower portion of the pole, making it unsafe. We are seeking the support of the public to enable us to repair and reinstall the pole, at an estimated cost of $30,000, in time to celebrate the Fourth of July in proper style in 2015.
Our goal is to be able to raise the flagpole before the 1st of July, 2015. In order to do this, funds must be met by early February.
Please donate to our Indigogo Fundraiser online at http://igg.me/at/raisetheflag
In addition to knowing that you have helped save a patriotic icon, donors of $10 or more will be given free admission to the Museum any time during 2015. The names of donors of $100 or more will be displayed in a place of honor in the Museum. Contributors of $250 or more will receive an exclusive guided tour for five people in our Model Room, displaying over 500 original half hulls designed by Nathanael G. Herreshoff throughout his career.
Any funds received in excess of the cost of the repair will be used to help improve the Museum’s campus. The Herreshoff Marine Museum is a 501c3 institution that preserves and presents the legacy of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, its two founders and their incredible record of innovation and design. Your gift will be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Herreshoff Marine Museum / America’s Cup Hall of Fame
One Burnside Street,
Bristol, RI, 02809
www.herreshoff.org
