USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

Merrill Lynch hosted a reception at the new USS Saratoga Museum facility at the Rhode Island Mall this evening. The function, attended by about 150 project supporters and volunteers, also marked the first public display of a rare set of photographs showing the Machine Gun Brigade of the Rhode Island Militia on maneuvers at Quonset in 1897.

"Merrill Lynch Private Client Group and Merrill Lynch Trust Company is pleased to support the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation," said Mary Allyn, Resident Vice President for Merrill Lynch in Providence. "We are intrigued by the possibilities this center will bring to the local economy and to enhancing vocational education opportunities, as well as providing a means of honoring those service members who have sacrificed so much in defense of America's freedom."

Foundation President Frank Lennon was grateful for the support from the financial giant. "The association of Merrill Lynch with this project not only demonstrates their commitment to the community, but it will also provide us a vehicle for enlisting the financial support from the more than 65,000 veterans nationwide who served aboard Saratoga."

Lennon also publicly thanked the Rhode Island Mall for the donation of the 2500 feet of prime retail space now occupied by the museum. "Thanks to the owners of the Mall, we now have a high-traffic retail location for our use as a mini-museum until we open the aircraft carrier to the public," he said. "We are also exploring the possibility of a simulator to attract additional visitors. This example of community involvement helps maintain our momentum," he concluded.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, the Saratoga project organizers have also invited other organizations, to include the Quonset Air Museum, the Varnum Armory, the Seabee Museum, the Naval War College Museum, Persian Gulf Veterans of Rhode Island and the RI National Guard to set up displays in this space.

On September 27 Governor Lincoln Almond and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation board he chairs voted unanimously to conditionally endorse the plan to moor the carrier Saratoga at the carrier pier of Quonset Point Naval Air Station as the centerpiece of an Air, Land & Sea Heritage and Technology Park. On December 2, Congressman Bob Weygand reported the Navy had agreed to place Saratoga in donation status, and on January 19 the Secretary of the Navy signed off on this action.

In April 2000, both houses of the Rhode Island General Assembly passed Resolutions of support for this project.

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Last Updated:
9/29/01