Gulfquest museum to change name under new director

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -Major changes are coming to Gulfquest. The maritime museum on the waterfront is getting a new name as a new director takes over.

The nearly 10-year-old riverside museum in downtown Mobile will be called the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico.

Karen Poth, Gulfquest director said, “All the museums in Washington D.C. are the national museum of this and that and so it’s a very important distinction. It gives us a lot of credibility in the museum world, I also think it gives us a lot of credibility in general.”

Poth is originally from St. Louis. She said she’s worked in the creative departments for Disney and VeggieTales.

Most recently, she served as the creative director at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. as it made its grand opening.

She’s no stranger to Mobile though. She said it’s been her second home for more than 20 years.

Poth said she’s up to the challenge of taking on Gulfquest already making big changes.

A grand opening under the new name will be in October.

There will also be two new exhibits this year. One of them on the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.

“The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is such a tradition in Mobile. I know there are a million stories out there and lots of memorabilia. I want to hear from the queens of the rodeo...The ones who set the state records. I want to hear all of those stories,” said Poth.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson also wants to draw people to the riverfront in downtown Mobile. That’s why his administration is also looking to add a rooftop bar and restaurant to the museum.

Poth said, “I’m biased but Gulfquest has the best view of the city and the best view of the river.”

Unfortunately it’s rarely been smooth sailing for the museum. Since its origins, funding for Gulfquest has been a point of contention among city council members and mayors of Mobile. Attendance numbers have also been low.

Poth said she is aware and hopes Mobilians will give it a second chance.

“We are excited to give it a fresh start. This is a beautiful building. It’s a world class facility. The exhibits you see are really on par with anything you find in the country with the best museums so it’s time for everybody to come and see it again,” said Poth.

Poth said the new changes she plans to make will all be under the same budget as before, so it’s not going to cost anything extra.

After it’s completion in 2015, the total price tag on the museum was about $62 million. Close to half of that was covered by grant money. The city foot the bill on about 28 million of it.