WASHINGTON, DC—Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro formally announced the site for the new National Museum of the United States Navy (NMUSN) during an October ceremony at the location.
The new site is just outside the historic Washington Navy Yard, at Tingey Street and M Street, and will give the public unfettered access to U.S. Navy history and heritage.
“This ceremony marks a significant step forward in our journey to reimagine the Navy Museum,” said Secretary Del Toro. “This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to preserving and honoring the rich history of our Navy, and to ensuring that its legacy continues to inspire and educate future generations.”
The new NMUSN will be an enduring memorial to honor the service of American sailors, inspire selfless service, and enhance public understanding of the Navy’s historical legacy.
“The new National Museum of the U.S. Navy will provide a dramatically improved opportunity for the American public to be inspired by the long history of valor and sacrifice of American sailors in the defense of our country, and to learn the vital importance of sea power to our way of life,” said retired Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox, director of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). “It will showcase not only the legacy of the past, but also the global operations of the Navy today, upholding the freedom of the seas, upon which our freedom depends.”
The vision for the new Navy Museum expands the traditional museum concept to a campus layout that combines the museum, a high-tech conference center, and retail space with dining options. It is intended to be a self-funded tourist destination that aims to intrigue, inform, and inspire generations of visitors.
The Navy has partnered with the Navy Museum Development Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help preserve, commemorate, and share the history of the U.S. Navy. The foundation will support the museum construction efforts and, once complete, its ongoing operation.
During the ceremony, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James W. Kilby, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, former Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite, and D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert provided remarks.
The NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval history and heritage. It oversees many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archaeology, Navy histories, ten museums, the USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus (SSN-571). For more information, visit history.navy.mil.
