Commadore Edward Preble (1751-1807)
Tucked away in the confines of Preble Hall on the stunning Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, Maryland is a gem of Americana. The USNA Museum is a vast collection of exhibits and galleries that bring the colorful past of the U.S. Navy to life and is free to the public. Each year, more than 125,000 visitors enter this 12,000 square foot museum housed in the building named after Edward Preble, a distinguished naval officer who led attacks on Tripoli during the 1st Barbary War and formed an officer corps that led the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812.
Intertwined among the galleries of artifacts, images, and interactive displays are tales of global exploration, battles on the high seas, dramatic rescues, and important alumni. Included in these collections are flags, uniforms, weapons, recovered objects from sunken ships, paintings, sculptures, and navigation instruments from throughout the existence of the navy. This incredible primary source material provides visitors with a level of insight into the past of the navy, and America as a whole, unattainable through published works or television documentaries. With enough fascinating exhibits to intrigue even the most casual observer, and enough rich detail to increase the understanding of the most knowledgeable scholars, the Naval Academy Museum will captivate the minds of all who enter its doors.
The USNA Museum is full of fascinating artwork,
When you enter the first-floor galleries you immediately find yourself immersed in the illustrious history of the United States Navy. One of the first exhibits you arrive at tells the history of the campus you are standing on and how it rose from humble beginnings into one of the premier academic institutions in the nation. You can see the rings from each graduating class at the Naval Academy dating back to the 1800s, get a glimpse of how campus life evolved over the years, and take a look at contributions to society from Jimmy Carter, James Lovell, Roger Staubach, and other prominent Naval Academy alumni.
As you move into the other first-floor exhibits. you will travel back in time to many of the most important moments in American history; and see how they U.S. Navy has played a critical role in shaping our county’s past, including playing pivotal roles in every major American war. Here, you can follow the evolution of the U.S. Navy through battles with Britain, France, and foreign pirates as America struggled for its independence, or see how an increasing naval prowess and modern ships helped the United States emerge as an international power during the World Wars of the 20th Century.
The U.S. Navy has been at the forefront of every major conflict in American history, including the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII.
One of the more intriguing displays is that of the divided navy during the Civil War years, and how important the Union and Confederate navies were in the outcome of the conflict. The Civil War was the first time in which Naval Academy graduates served as officers and there is no shortage of historic irony in the fact the first officer classes trained together only to oppose each other in battle.
You could easily spend an entire day browsing the amazing collections and interactive displays found on the first floor of the museum, but doing so would prevent you from experiencing one of the museum’s most prized exhibits. Housed on the second floor is as unique a collection as you will find in any gallery in the country, if not the world. In 1935, Colonel Henry Rogers donated his collection of over 100 model ships to the Naval Academy to be preserved and studied by future generations, which remains on display to this day. Among the 108 models in the exhibit are dozens of remarkably detailed, scaled replicas of European ships dating as far back as the 1650s, many of which still maintain working parts.
Place Card from model ship, circa 1650
Of particular interest are the models in the French prisoners of war collection, which contains ships crafted out of bone, straw, left over rations, and any other materials the captives could acquire. Many prisoners spent their entire time in captivity constructing these amazing works of art and science, and sold them in local markets to generate income for food and other necessities. Some of these model builders were so talented that they were actually commissioned to build more models by the very people that imprisoned them. From miniature replicas to working models built to scale, the Rogers Model Ship Collection is a living tribute to over 350 years of maritime history and tradition, and a must see exhibit for naval enthusiasts and novices, alike.
The USNA Museum is a true treasure that brings the tradition rich history of America to life. If you’re in Annapolis, don’t miss your opportunity to set sail on a journey into the past that will change the way you look at the present and future. It’s quite fitting admission to the museum is free, because touring it is an absolutely priceless experience.
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