ON THE WATER -- Far from run aground

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Early retirement didn’t do it for Wayne Eggleston.

A former property manager, the 55-year-old executive director of the

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum got busy when City Council members in his

hometown of San Clemente proposed turning one of the city’s historic

buildings into a restaurant a few years ago.

“At that point, I went nuts,” Eggleston said.

As a result, the avid traveler led a successful campaign to turn “Casa

Romantica” into a cultural arts center. He also raised about $3,000 and

got himself elected as a San Clemente councilman.

Having accomplished his mission at home, the nautical museum’s

trustees lured him out of his role as a volunteering retiree and

convinced him to come work for them in October 1999.

The new job fit perfectly right from the beginning, he said.

“Sometimes you come into a situation where you instantly feel at

home,” Eggleston said, adding that he considered his current position as

his “fun job.”

“The trustees are like friends,” he said. “They’re so supportive of

things that go on here and put in volunteer hours. It’s just amazing.”

Apart from nice bosses, other perks also come with the job.

“I have to look at this every day,” Eggleston said, sitting down in

his narrow office on the second deck of the steam boat, where the museum

has been since 1995. From his desk, Eggleston looks out across Newport

Harbor through windows that cover the entire length of the room.

“Isn’t that awful?” he said and smiled.

Originally from Ohio -- “I grew up on a chicken farm, and I still eat

chicken, believe it or not,” he said -- Eggleston came to California and

hasn’t left.

Years ago, his old company wanted to move him back to his native

state.

“For a promotion,” Eggleston said and rolled his eyes, making it clear

that no job in the world could force him away from the Pacific Ocean.

At the museum, which has an annual budget of about $500,000 and

doesn’t charge admission, Eggleston’s got enough on his plate to keep him

by the water for a while to come.

He’s planning to expand exhibitions in the boat’s grand salon from

three to four per year. The current Rex Brandt show remains up through

February. Coming exhibits include one on the Channel Islands in March and

a submarine exhibit that’s planned for the summer.

Eggleston also hopes to remodel the museum’s Newport gallery on the

first deck.

“We need to get the exhibit down there more up-to-date,” he said.

“More interactive.”

In July, the museum will sponsor an 18-day trip to Scandinavia and St.

Petersburg, Russia. Will Eggleston join the group?

“Of course,” came his answer. “Are you kidding?”

FYI

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is open from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Information: (949) 673-7863.