Vincent Tomaselli Eagle Project (2014)
My Eagle Scout Project was to transform a room on the second floor of the Barn in the Science Museum of LI into an Anthropology Viewing Room to study artifacts donated by the Museum of Natural History. I chose this project because I always knew I wanted my Eagle Project to be something involving construction and renovation. The Science Museum was an easy choice since I spent many hours there as a young boy- from classes to Cub Scout Badges to class trips. I have many fond memories from my experiences at the Museum and I wanted to give back to the younger children who are now participating in the Museum activities.
There were many phases in this project: Demolition, Insulation , Electrical, Sanding Windows, Sheetrocking, Taping and Spackling, Priming, Painting, Floor Re-polishing and clean up every step of the way!
Upon project approval, I began to solicit donations. I went before 2 groups to present the work at hand. I also asked family and friends to help. I followed up with letters for donations. I also went to Home Depot where I was lucky enough to speak to a manager who was an Eagle Scout himself! He was very generous with the donation of supplies.
With each phase there was a new trip to Home Depot. Each phase presented a lot of work. The most difficult phase was taping and spackling. I discovered I wasn’t very good at it. I was happy to see that I was able to learn quickly for the other phases as well as for taping and spackling.
In the end, I was so happy to see the outcome and to see the happiness in the faces of the Museum Director as well as the employees. I alone put in 137 hours of work at the Museum. I know that sometime soon many children and adults will also be able to use this newly renovated room. The added bonus is that I learned many important skills that will serve me well when I own my own home in the future.
The Museum Director was so pleased that he and his staff organized a Luncheon on the museum grounds. Many local dignitaries came. I was so honored that everyone took the time to come to thank me!
Here is a YouTube video link that I created so that you may see a short summary of my Eagle Scout Project or go to YouTube and search for Vincent Tomaselli’s Eagle Project
Facebook dedication ceremony photo album
Before and After photos:
