Membership and merchandise sales increased dramatically in 1996

The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Annual meeting was held September 10, 1996 before a packed house at the Jamestown Philomenian Library. The slate of officers elected were:


	President:		Anthony J. Faria
	Vice-President:		June L. Webb
	Treasurer:		Craig Armington
	Secretary:		Alden Walls, Jr.
	Directors:		David Clem
				Charles Auld
				Jean Y. Boschen

Elinor DeWire who has written five books on the subject of lighthouses and published over 100 magazine articles about lighthouses was the keynote speaker. Combining history, lore and nostalgic stories with wonderful photographs of her journeys around the world researching lighthouses, Ms. DeWire presented a fascinating lecture.

President's Annual Report

1996 was a year for many changes at the beavertail Lighthouse museum. Most notable was a complete remodeling of the back room for use as a sales area. This created considerably more space for the display of additional merchandise and in turn resulted in a more than 5% increase in sales. In addition, new shelving was purchased for the upstairs storage area. This enabled the merchandise committee to establish an efficient inventory control system

Museum volunteers staffed sales booths at the Conanicut Island Art Association Christmas Sale and at the Jamestown Ferry Days exhibit this summer. Beavertail merchandise sales at both events were very gratifying. The Annual Christmas Raffle was also very successful. Sincere thanks to all the volunteers who staffed sales booths or sold tickets for these important fund raising events.

Internally, two new committees were formed this year. The Exhibit Committee (Chairperson, Charlotte Head) evaluates and updates present and future exhibits. Several new displays were added this past year and for 1997 the committee is enlisting the help of Jamestown's renowned Walter Schroeder to help in the planning of a new exhibit. The Merchandise Committee (Chairperson, June L. Webb) is responsible for the evaluation of current and future sales merchandise. This committee is establishing an efficient perpetual inventory system. Members of both committees devoted many hours of work establishing guidelines and procedures, as well as selecting new merchandise and exhibits. Sincere thanks to all committee members. The work you put forth contibuted a great deal to the increase in our merchandise sales this year.

Treasurer Craig W. Armington reported at the Annual Meeting that as of September 10, 1996 dues income from memberships was $2,995.00. Our newest category is INDIVIDUAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP ($100). Our membership increased approximately 25% this year. Museum Gift Shop sales of $14,490 represented a $6,241 increase over last year.

I would like to thank each and everyone who made 1996 a very successful year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

          Tony Faria

Tidal Pool Excursions
Pat Venable, Jamestown's resident marine biologist, reports that the tide pool excursions this summer were once again very successful. Thay were well attended by many children accompanied by their parents.
Lighthouse Keeper Comes Home
Former lighthouse keeper, John K. Martin and his wife Margaret of Lynchburg, Virginia made a "trip home" to Beavertail this summer. Twenty seven years ago, John was the next to last Coast Guard Lighthouse Keeper of Beavertail. Karen Osenton and Helen Gorman, volunteers the day the Martins visited, were enthralled by John's stories of the various happenings that occurred at the Beavertail Lighthouse. Incidentally, John Martin is a retired Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer and would love to come back to their former home. Watch out, Clayton!
Exhibits Committee Plans for the Future
Next time you are out at the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, look for the following displays and modifications which have been added in the last year.

There is a stone marker loaned by the Historical Society which marks the foundation of the original Beavertail Lighthouse. This marker is supported in a wooden holder, custom made and donated by Jack Willis. A photograph of the marker as it stood before being knocked down by Hurricane Bob is part of the new display along with text describing the significance of the stone marker.
Note also the updated photos of Rose Island Lighthouse and Block Island Southeast Lighthouse to their fully restored present condition. Text on these display panels was also updated.
Over the winter, the Exhibits Committee will be working on or evaluating the following projects:

Improved preservation and restoration of the large, stuffed striped bass.
Replacement of outdated signs (by the museum door and by the street) to reflect BLMA as the organization managing the museum and to accurately reflect the hours the museum is open.
Review contents of the scrapbooks and consider having more information of historical interest available but not on display.
Designing and erecting a panel to be located outside the lighthouse indicating the locations of other lighthouses visible from Beavertail (in the same manner as mountain peaks are identified from other mountain peaks).
More professional display of the Robert Dennis lighthouse models.
Display of Beavertail photos during World War II showing military readiness.
A display with explanation of how lighthouse lenses work and their nautical purpose.
The Exhibits Committee has found it very challenging to consider display of additional items, since space is very limited! Please call Charlotte Head at 294-1205 if you have any suggestions regarding Exhibits Committee projects.
Upcoming Events
Museum personnel will be staffing a sales booth at the HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW at the Melrose Avenue School on Saturday, December 7, 1996.

Since BLMA will not be having a raffle or December Open House this year, anyone who wishes to purchase Beavertail items for the holidays should do so at the show.

Interested in helping out? Please call Diane at 423-2011. We need workers!!!!!!

BEAVERTAIL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

DUES AND EXPIRATION DATES ARE REVISED
This newsletter will reach 175 family units, an increase of approximately 41 over last year.
Your Board of Directors has voted to increase individual membership dues and revise the term of yearly membership to coincide with the calendar year. Therefore, new memberships or renewals received in 1997 will expire December 31, 1998 (a bonus of 6 months).
New Dues Rates: [] Individual, Life -- $100.00 [] Individual, One Year -- 15.00 [] Family, One Year -- 25.00 [] Student, One Year -- 5.00 [] Sponsor, One Year -- 50.00
Have you renewed your BLMA membership? If so, Thank you for your continued support. If not, please do so today. We need your help to keep the light shining.

To learn more about the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association write or call:
Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association P. O. Box 83 Jamestown, RI 02835 ph: (401)423-3270

See the Summer 1996 Newsletter
See the Spring 1996 Newsletter
See the Fall 1995 Newsletter