The Yard is a place of immense history. In its 179 years as the U.S. Naval Academy, (USNA), this spot in the heart of Annapolis has prepared thousands of men and women to lead our U.S. Naval and Marine Corps forces. Astronauts, Nobel Prize winners, Rhodes Scholars, admirals, public servants, leaders of enterprise, and even one president have spent their time as a midshipman walking the very walkways we traverse today.
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Delve Into History
There are many reasons we study history and seek out our past. There is the famous, often paraphrased quote from philosopher George Santayana that notes, “those who cannot remember their past are condemned to repeat it.” Beyond learning from our past mistakes to make better decisions in the future, history helps us to understand many other important ideas: where we came from, who we are, and why things change. Fortunately, access to valuable history isn’t limited to the classroom or locked up by experts. Through the establishment of museums, we have the invaluable opportunity to study and understand our past through the artifacts and stories that live within them.
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is itself a living museum of history. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, there are monuments, buildings, and more that stand as ongoing reminders of our past and our present, while also giving us evidence of our future. Within its boundaries lies the richly curated USNA Museum. Welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually from all around the world, the USNA Museum’s exhibits have a three-fold focus covering the history of seapower, the development of the U.S. Navy, and the role of the Naval Academy in producing highly capable officers.
Located in Preble Hall, the museum’s displays and collection of artifacts span two fascinating floors, breathing life into the stories of the men and women who have served at sea. While some objects on display are recognizable, some may require interpretation to understand their significance, but each has a tale to tell.
First Deck Exhibits
You can start from the beginning, with an exhibit tracing the U.S. Navy’s journey from its inception during the Revolutionary War with war heroes like John Paul Jones (now in a crypt below the USNA Chapel), to becoming today’s most powerful naval fighting force. You’ll learn about how various Naval Academy graduates bravely led our country’s armed forces through war, persevered through challenging expeditions to remote areas of the planet, and helped further our scientific knowledge. There are interactive battle maps to help you visualize the tactics used in many of America’s major naval battles.
After that, see how the Naval Academy has changed over the years as both an academic institution and a military post. You’ll see Oliver Hazard Perry’s famous “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag from the Battle of Lake Erie. Stitched with what has become the unofficial Navy motto, this original flag bears this famous Navy saying which has inspired generations of sailors. More recent versions of the flag use a blue background, but conservation efforts discovered blue material was only added to the original brown as a form of preservation. Interestingly, both the original and modern versions of this battle flag lack an apostrophe.
As you stroll this deck, you’ll also come upon a piece of USS Monitor, and a depiction of the attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as the James W. Cheevers Gallery, home of temporary exhibits and named in honor of this gifted historian, author, and former Naval Academy Museum senior curator.
Second Deck Exhibits
In the second gallery, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the famous Rogers Ship Model Collection, which is the largest collection of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century ship models on public display in North America. Over 70 intricately designed models detail 200 years of innovation in warship design. As you stroll through this area, you’ll also see the Beverley R. Robinson Collection, which is incredible in both its volume and quality of art. The museum houses 6,000 prints which chronicle the naval history of Europe and the New World from 1514 through World War II, highlighting famous ships and naval scenes. Enjoy visually stunning woodcuts, etchings, line engravings, mezzotints, aquatints, and lithographs.
Be a Part of USNA History
The museum also showcases temporary exhibits, so check here for an update on what’s currently displayed. Additionally, the USNA Museum posts “A History of the Navy in 100 Objects,” a podcast and video series exploring the Navy’s amazing history. You can be a part of this history right now. In fact, when you visit the museum, you’re giving back to the midshipmen who give everything to uphold our freedom. Your trip to the museum, Naval Academy tours, Yard dining experiences, and Yard shopping all contribute their proceeds to the Brigade to help fund extracurricular activities like cultural arts, music, theater, club sports, and more. When you visit the Naval Academy, you’re part of it.
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We encourage you to explore the treasures of the museum today! The hours are Monday through Saturday (closed on Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with the exception of all federal holidays, for which they are closed. Come take a walk through USNA history, and watch it all come alive!
