Plebes from the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 2015 visited the Naval Academy Museum Aug. 1 as part of the Plebe Summer schedule.
The museum, founded in 1845, was renovated two years ago and is filled with collections of model ships, replicas, artwork and artifacts recovered from real ships.
J. Scott Harmon, director of the museum for 13 years, explained the importance of the museum to the plebes.
“It gives them an introduction to naval history,” said Harmon. “Hopefully they'll find something interesting and revisit with their parents.”
Located in Preble Hall, the museum contains more than 50,000 artifacts, including the Rogers Ship Model Collection, the largest collection of 17th and 18th Century ship models on public display in North America; the Beverly R. Robinson Collection, a display of more than 6000 prints illustrating famous ships and naval scenes from the last 500 years; and the U.S. Trophy Flag Collection, which includes more than 600 historic American and captured foreign flags.
Midshipman 4th Class Kari Nogacek, of Pittsburgh, Pa., who has always dreamed of being an astronaut, gravitated toward the space section.
“I think it's amazing, to see all the spaceships and the displays, and it inspires me to see what my life can look like in the future,” said Nogacek.
The museum serves as a visual attraction to many visitors, but also plays an important role in helping midshipmen succeed in their academic career throughout their four years at the academy.
“Many of them will come back as part of their naval history courses because the museum is part of the academic curriculum,” said Harmon. “Downstairs we have a research library and records of all our artifacts and art so they can come here and do their research.”
“You can't go forward successfully without knowing your past,” said Midshipman 1st Class Kyle Britt, of Chicago, Ill. “For us midshipmen it gives us a chance to actually see our story.”
“The USS Missouri diorama was my favorite exhibit. The fact that they have the recreation of the event, and even the surrender papers right there is amazing,” said Britt, who is a prior-enlisted Marine and history major.
Britt was inspired to apply to the academy after he visited the campus four years ago to perform in a parade.
“If you come through the museum, and you don't get chills from seeing all of this, something's wrong,” he said.
The plebes see the names of famous naval heroes every day in the buildings around the yard, but seeing the museum displays about who they were and what they accomplished brings what they’re learning to life, said Midshipman 4th Class John F. Sloan, from Syracuse, N.Y.
Midshipman 4th Class Michael W. Jones from Norfolk, Va., also appreciated the lessons to be learned from studying naval history.
“The museum shows how the people who came before me set the standard for how we must carry ourselves as officers in war and peace, because we are the face of the Navy, and represent our country in the international community,” said Jones.
The museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
For more information on the Naval Academy Museum, visit www.usna.edu/Museum or call 410-293-2108.
