A local scout recently spearheaded a project that has earned him the distinction of being an Eagle Scout, while beautifying the grounds of the Cape Coral Historical Museum.

Alex Golod has now joined other outstanding Americans who have earned Eagle Scout status, among them former President Gerald R. Ford Jr., astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, cinematographer Steven Spielberg and the former head of the F.B.I., William Sessions.

For his Eagle Scout project, Golod organized more than 200 hours of work among himself and other volunteers.

“I was the project leader,” he said. “I started in scouting in first grade as a Tiger Scout.”

He is now 15, and attends Caloosa Middle School.

“What I like about scouting is that you get to learn different leadership skills.”

Not only did he organize his group, he also put in approximately $200 of his and his family’s money toward supplies.

The project included completing nearly 50 plant signs and the refurbishment of benches. Now those who enjoy looking at the various flora at the museum can learn about the plants too, said curator Anne C. Cull.

“They’ve worked diligently, and it’s a pleasure to see young people with so much talent,” she said. “The work that they did was terrific. The signs should last many years with the way they were preserved. They also took the benches that were in very bad disrepair and restored them to look like new.”

Paul Sanborn, president of the Cape Coral Historical Society/Museum, presented Golod with a plaque at a special ceremony held this week at the museum. He could not give enough praise for the young man and his team.

“We are so impressed,” Sanborn said. “This was through a connection with his grandmother, Merna Stein, who is our treasurer and board member. She suggested we allow Alex to do this project for his Eagle Scout badge. We are all so impressed with what has been accomplished with his restorations.”

Sanborn encourages Cape residents to visit the museum.

“Many residents are not aware of the beauty of the museum and all the historical items and treasures we have,” he said.

Scoutmaster Tom Coleman was at the presentation, and was very proud of Golod.

“This project is part of the big picture, a huge step, in becoming an Eagle Scout,” he said. “This put him in touch with the community and other volunteers as well as learning leadership skills. Also, assistant scoutmaster Mike Klappert was the leading adult working with Alex on the project.”

They are all from Troop 8463.

Other thanks were extended to Courtney Wright and Barbara Bardell as “two talented ladies” who also worked on the signs.

One volunteer was his younger brother, Scout Nicholas Golod, who attends Caloosa Elementary and also enjoys being a Boy Scout.

“I like the camping the best,” he said, and added he really enjoyed working on the project.

The Cape Coral Historical Museum is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd. The phone number is 772-7037 and website is capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org. It is now open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m.