Panama Canal Museum

The Panama Canal Museum was created to preserve the history of the American era of the Panama Canal (1904-1999). The museum contains artifacts, documents and other items of historical significance to educate and provide vital information for research of the accomplishments in the construction, operation, maintenance and defense of the Panama Canal. Key to this collection is those artifacts that represent the people and their families who were integral to the construction and maintenance of the Panama Canal.

In 2002, the museum decided they wanted to start an annual collectible series that would be limited in edition and commemorate historical events and people affecting the Canal, as well as a means to earn funds through their gift shop. The first piece, the Seal of the Canal Zone, Isthmus of Panama, was an order of 500. A quick sell through resulted in an almost immediate reorder of 250 pieces.

2005 was the 150th anniversary of the Panama Railroad, and the museum did an insignia to celebrate this milestone. With an overwhelming response, the ornament sold out in less than two months and had to be reordered.

The response from the public has been tremendous for the annual ornament program. Families of past Canal workers and US historical collectors alike are drawn into the various designs, which are chosen by the store committee and passed on to ChemArt artists for their creative input.

The ornament is being marketed through various media including ads and articles in publications, as well as cross marketed through other historical organizations like the Panama Canal Society. The society also has an annual reunion in Orlando, FL, where people who had either lived or worked on the canal and their families come together as one big extended family. The museum takes an exhibit to the reunion as a sort of mobile gift shop and sells through the various years’ ornaments.

Joseph Wood, President of the Panama Canal Museum, has personally taken on the ornament program. He has given glowing reviews to the staff and the process, “I can give the merest of direction to ChemArt and receive a great product. We can count on good quality, excellent design and reliable delivery. The product is so great that people now think I’m a designer.”

For more information on the Panama Canal Museum, visit their web site at http://www.panamacanalmuseum.org/.

 Download a PDF of the Panama Canal Museum case study