Assembly endorses Ocean Rescue Museum, citing preservation and fundraising benefits

The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates voted July 1 to adopt a resolution supporting the Orleans Historical Society’s Ocean Rescue Museum project, which aims to preserve the historic CG 36‑500 motor lifeboat.

Delegate Fuller, the motion’s mover, said the resolution outlines the society’s objective to preserve the vessel and includes a short history of the boat and the proposed rescue operation to save it from further deterioration. In public comment before the vote, Howard Gosdin of Eastham, a board member of the Orleans Historical Society, said, “I speak today in support of the resolution endorsing the Ocean Rescue Museum of Cape Cod,” and urged delegates to help with fundraising and grants. Liz Adams, the society’s capital campaign director, described planned exhibits spanning early rescues through modern Coast Guard history and stressed the project’s potential tourism and educational benefits.

Supporters on the floor noted precedent for the assembly’s letters and resolutions helping local preservation projects secure grants and donors. Deputy Speaker Freisel’s government affairs committee recommended approval; the assembly’s roll call showed 14 delegates present and the presiding officer announced the motion passed with the delegation representing 97.12% of the county population.

The adopted resolution (2026‑09) formally directs the assembly to send a support letter to assist the Orleans Historical Society in fundraising and grant efforts for the Ocean Rescue Museum project. There was no recorded amendment to the museum resolution itself; delegates said staff and the society will work on outreach and materials to accompany grant applications.

The assembly also received public requests that the museum organizers provide further materials and that the administration help circulate any timeline or fundraising plan; no specific county funding was authorized during the meeting.