Homer L Ferguson High School - Mariner Yearbook (Newport News, VA)

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He served also in many local welfare groups. His interest in education was shown in the development of the Shipyard Apprentice School and the enviable reputation it acquired throughout the country for the excellence of its methods and training. He became a member of the board of trustees of the Newport News Schools, a director of the Hampton Institute, anda member of the Virginia Apprentice Commission. He was especially interested in the Boy Scouts and aided in organizing the Newport News Boys Club. He served for a while on the board of visitors of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Ferguson was awarded the Cross of the Legion of honor by France; the Knight Commander, Order of Leopold II by Belgium. A Certificate of Merit was awarded him by the President of the United States, and a Certificate of Honor was presented by the War Memorial Museum of the American Legion in Virginia. Many other certificates and medals were presented by the different organizations he had served. A gold medal was awarded posthumously by the board of trustees of The Mariners ' Museum in remembrance of his untiring efforts for that institution. A number of honorary degrees were bestowed upon him by various colleges. Hunting, family and fishing were his principal recreations; he belonged to a surprising number of fishing and hunting clubs. In appearance, Homer L. Ferguson was above medium height, robust and vigorous from much outdoor life. He had a strong handsome face with a crop of thick brown hair which changed to gray at an early age. He had large expressive brown eyes and a generous mouth which could be a determined line across a set face, or wide parted lips in a most engaging smile. His keen sense of humor and fund of amusing stories made him a delightful companion; his charm of manner was irresistible and won for him many devoted friends. He died in his sleep in the morning of March 14, 1953, at his home on The Museum grounds, at the age of eighty. 6 A

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Homer Lenoir Ferguson Shipbuilding was never overlooked, however, and an early contract was made for the reconditioning of the captured war prize, the passenger German liner VATERLAND which became the American LEVIATHAN. Bids were offered on every other available vessel with the surprising result of launching nine vessels in one day, March 20, 1926. In 1929, Mr. Ferguson interested Archer Milton Huntington, then principal owner of the shipyard, in establishing a marine museum near the shipyard founded by his father, Collis Potter Huntington. Mr. Huntington agreed to finance such an institution if Mr. Ferguson would undertake the job. The Mariners ' Museum came into being in 1930 and Mr. Ferguson served as its president until his death in 1953. He was a member of the National Foreign Trade Council, the President ' s Commission on unemployment, the National Industrial Conference Board, and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States in 1919-1920. He was a member of the Academy of Political Science, the Propeller Club of the U. S., the Society of Naval Architects and served as president of the Marine Engineers. He was president also of the National Council of American Shipbuilders, and a trustee of the Carnegie Institute of Washington. He was a director of the Chesapeake Ohio Railway Company, the Chesapeake Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia, and the Engineers Public Service Corporation of New York. He was president of the First National Bank of Newport News, director in the State -Planters Bank of Richmond, a director of the Yorktown Sesquicentennial As- sociation, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternity. 5

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Homer J3. Serguson High School Mrs. Ferguson Presents A Portrait Mrs. Homer L. Fergusonpresented a portrait of the late Mr. Fergusonin a ’’dedication ceremony at the school February 15. Dick Allerton, president of the Student Co-operative Association, accepted the portrait for the school. Although the entire center section of the auditorium had been reserved for visitors who wished to attend the dedication, only a few people wer$ present. Several other members of Mr. Ferguson ' s family attended with Mrs. Ferguson, and a number of invited guests from the shipyard were there. Eleventh grade students occupied the sections of seats at each side of the auditorium, and all students listened via the public address system as the dedication ceremony was conducted. Following the dedication, which was at 2: 00 P.M., a tea was given in the school library for invited guests. 7