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Ormond War Memorial Art Gallery
Solicitation groups were appointed and a house to house canvas of
Ormond Beach was made soliciting funds and support to build a War
Memorial Gallery.
A special committee was selected to canvas the business firms
throughout the area and approximately one hundred firms gave willingly
to the project. The response from individuals and firms was enthusiastic
and generous. Construction of the Gallery was begun at the same time
the drive for funds was launched and every Friday when the bills for labor
and materials were presented there were sufficient funds in the bank to
meet them. Most of the workmen were Servicemen recently returned
from WWII active duty and each one gave an additional hour's time each
week free toward this project. Considerable material was also donated.
The Gallery, including the remodeled frame building in front, was
completed, all bills paid, the pictures hung and the dedication services
held on Sunday afternoon, December 29, 1946 - two days before the
expiration date of our six months option we had from Mr. Fraser. The
completed Gallery and partially developed Memorial Garden was
presented to the Mayor of Ormond on behalf of the City Officials at the
Dedication Services held in the Memorial Garden at 2 p. m., December
29, 1946.
It was understood and agreed that the Ormond War Memorial Art
Gallery Corporation was to continue to function as an operating body to
manage and direct the work of this War Memorial Project. When plans
were being drawn for the Gallery and the wall space necessary to
accommodate the 56 paintings in the original gift, Mr. Fraser asked that
additional wall space he provided for additional paintings that he would
do subsequent to that time and when he was sure the series was
complete.
5
Solicitation groups were appointed and a house to house canvas of
Ormond Beach was made soliciting funds and support to build a War
Memorial Gallery.
A special committee was selected to canvas the business firms
throughout the area and approximately one hundred firms gave willingly
to the project. The response from individuals and firms was enthusiastic
and generous. Construction of the Gallery was begun at the same time
the drive for funds was launched and every Friday when the bills for labor
and materials were presented there were sufficient funds in the bank to
meet them. Most of the workmen were Servicemen recently returned
from WWII active duty and each one gave an additional hour's time each
week free toward this project. Considerable material was also donated.
The Gallery, including the remodeled frame building in front, was
completed, all bills paid, the pictures hung and the dedication services
held on Sunday afternoon, December 29, 1946 - two days before the
expiration date of our six months option we had from Mr. Fraser. The
completed Gallery and partially developed Memorial Garden was
presented to the Mayor of Ormond on behalf of the City Officials at the
Dedication Services held in the Memorial Garden at 2 p. m., December
29, 1946.
It was understood and agreed that the Ormond War Memorial Art
Gallery Corporation was to continue to function as an operating body to
manage and direct the work of this War Memorial Project. When plans
were being drawn for the Gallery and the wall space necessary to
accommodate the 56 paintings in the original gift, Mr. Fraser asked that
additional wall space he provided for additional paintings that he would
do subsequent to that time and when he was sure the series was
complete.
5
