Benjamen Salata
Curator, The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
North Hutchinson Island, FL. March 2001- June 2003
By far my most memorable professional experience was while a curator of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. That’s right Navy SEALs. The position its self was my first greatest challenge for they never had a professional curator on staff and the collection management was how we say, unique. Once everything started to get organized there was a huge incentive to build a World War II exhibit. Not only to display the artifacts and history but to honor the WWII generation frogmen, who not only established the museum but still served both as staff and volunteers. Working for the US Navy SEALs was bittersweet for the experience was so rewarding but so difficult to witness the mortality of so many historical figures as current events.
Below I am prepping a 1950's era UDT craft for paining.
Below I am working with Synergy Design Group installing the WWII exhibit
Below I am visiting with Capt. William M. Shepherd, the first commander of the International Space Station and a Navy SEAL
Below is a summery of accomplishments.
Responsible for compiling, organizing and interpreting the histories of Scout and Raider Units, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Underwater Demolition Teams, Sea, Air, and Land Teams (SEALs), and other elements of Naval Special Warfare. Designed and constructed written and photo archives, stabilized primary documents and textiles, designed and constructed artifact storage facilities.
Wrote and presented top-ranking educational exhibit Grant for WW II exhibit. The 1000 sqft was exhibit completed in summer 2003 for a total sum of $134,000.
Supervised design and development of permanent exhibits. Served as superintendent of explosives (inert), weapons (class 3), and other sensitive military materials. Supervised maintenance of exterior exhibits (boats, special watercraft, space capsules and helicopter). Served as public lead historical interpreter and volunteer coordinator. Added to existing oral history program and initiated oral history exchange program.