New London - The National Coast Guard Museum Association is trying to raise $1 million by Labor Day by creating a new group of special donors, the "Barque Eagle Society."

Supporters who donate a minimum of $1,000, $5,000 or make a three-year commitment of $15,000 will become members of the society and receive a unique, limited edition painting of the Coast Guard barque Eagle on a canvas by artist Tony Falcone, of Prospect.

"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support," said John Johnson, treasurer of the museum association. "The donations to the Barque Eagle Society will allow us to engage architects, engineers, site planners and traffic consultants, so that we can meet our goal of a breaking ground on Thursday, May 15, 2014."

Falcone will create the images while he is sailing on Eagle this summer and sign each one. For more information or to make a donation, contact the museum association at (860) 443-4200 or visit www.coastguardmuseum.org.