Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Frangiosa Jr.
Hi Joe, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I joined the Navy at 19, becoming an aviation boatswains’ mate, and spent a four-year career on the CVN -71, U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt. His term on the ship took him to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Caribbean, and many other places that allowed him to visit more than 13 countries. He said he missed the Navy and wanted to go back, but it was not selecting prior sailors, so finished his 20-year career by joining the U.S. Marines and serving as a CH-46 Helicopter Crew Chief. After returning from deployments and when I had available off-duty time. I would relax and build models. Upon retirement, the models I made was the catalyst for the Nautical History Gallery & Museum.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Upon retiring from the USMC, I created a workshop to build and repair/restore models and dollhouses in a 400 sq ft storefront in La Jolla. I continued building and collecting and running out of space. Finding an affordable space large enough to create 6-period panoramic dioramas was a challenge. An 828 sq ft room opened in the Dick Laub, Liberty Station, Command Center Bldg. 200, and the New Panoramic NHGM was created. Creating and operating as a 501c3 seemed like a major obstacle until we joined with Mission Edge of San Diego as our Fiscal Sponsor.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
This 828 sq. ft. gallery is a panoramic history of the U.S. Navy, its ships, and how they have evolved over time from the Revolutionary War period, through the Civil War, into the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II, including the beginning of naval aviation. While on-site, you’ll see model ship/aircraft builder and curator Joe Frangiosa in action, working on his newest projects. His scratch-built models are the centerpiece of each period diorama. The 6 dioramas, including memorabilia, artifacts, and antiques, complement each period of evolution. Always enjoys sharing the history and every element of his museum.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I scratch-build models researching drawings, photographs, and available text/schematics. I utilize materials such as wood, jewelry pieces, and repurposed house goods bought from Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and other craft stores. Over time, I developed cut-away models ships/aircraft detailing the actual inner workings…
18 Century Warship cut way URL example
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.nhgallery.org/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/iyc9ZTHW8Wc?si=qZR_Rg1tMYm-rvQr
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nautical-history-gallery-and-museum-san-diego?utm_source=ishare
- Other: https://libertystation.com/go/nautical-history-gallery-and-museum
