Panama Canal Museum

Mission:

The Mission of the Panama Canal Museum is to document, interpret and articulate the role played by the United States in the history of Panama, with emphasis on the construction, operation, maintenance and defense of the Panama Canal and the contributions to its success by people of all nationalities.

About Us:

The Panama Canal Museum in Seminole, Florida, the only museum in the world founded solely to preserve the history of the American Era of the Panama Canal (1904-1999), recognizes the contributions of the whole world in making this 20th century engineering marvel, the moon shot of its day, available to individuals, companies and nations across the globe. Focusing on the construction, operation, maintenance and defense of the canal during its formative years, the museum shows how these efforts helped make Panama's unique geography and location truly a crossroads of the world.

Its mission and a strategic plan incorporating recommendations made through a Museum Assessment Program grant awarded the museum by the American Association of Museums in 2003 guide the museum in its activities. These include pursuing community involvement and educational outreach, grants and public funding; enhancing marketing and publicity programs and conservation and preservation capability; and planning for the 2014 (100th) anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal. The professional affiliations the museum has established with the American Association of Museums and other organizations such as the American Association for State and Local History, Buy for Charity, Canal Zone Study Group, Council of American Maritime Museums, Dun & Bradstreet, Florida Association of Museums, Guide Star, Isthmian Collectors Club, Leave a Legacy, Panama Canal Society, Panama National Institute for Culture, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Sociedad de Amigos del Museo Afroantillano de Panamá and World Ocean Observatory have served to strengthen the museum throughout its years of operation.

Located in a ground-level office suite, the museum consists of 3500 square feet devoted to exhibitions; the Charles W. Hummer, Jr., Library for Historical Research; a museum store; and storage, meeting, office and conference areas with additional off-site storage. A core of about 750 memberships and donations from individuals from the United States, Panama and several other countries, as well as store sales and other fundraisers, have supported the museum and enabled it to hire a director and two part-time clerical staff members whose services are augmented by a growing cadre of volunteers in key positions. The museum is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The public that visits, writes and calls the museum seeking information about the Panama Canal includes past, present and prospective residents of Panama; students researching the Panama Canal; members of the media seeking information about the Panama Canal; genealogists researching family roots; and many who have transited or plan future transits of the Panama Canal. All show a fascination with and appreciation for this wonder of the modern world that has helped Panama become "the land divided, the world united."

The Panama Canal Museum is approved by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.