Wilson pre-fabricated the gun deck in his art studio at home and dismantled it into eight pieces that could be easily transported to the Academy and reassembled in the center’s exhibit on ''The Life & Times of John Paul Jones.'' Wilson designed and developed the exhibit to correct misconceptions visitors might have about Jones and his legendary career. The exhibit is characterized by the phrase, ''Did you know that ... ''

When Wilson made the exhibit, he accidentally used smaller-sized words than what museum curators recommend. To his amazement, he watched people stand at the exhibit, tracing the small type with their finger as they read it line by line. That’s when he knew his exhibit was a success, and that’s when he decided to use the smaller lettering in some of the other exhibits at the center.

''The goal, after all, is for people to read the information,'' he said with a grin.

The gun deck represents the latest addition to the John Paul Jones exhibit, which opened in 2005. On special occasions, the gun deck, cannon and cannonballs will be moved outside for demonstrations. Wilson constructed the full-size model of the deck cannon from fiberglass and wood. One cannonball is real, while another is actually a duckpin bowling ball.

Wilson said that the gun deck will complete this particular exhibit, and already he’s working on a new exhibit called ''Worship at the Academy,'' which will include information on the Levy Center. He’s also planning a new Medal of Honor exhibit, a new plebe exhibit, and an exhibit to show visitors how the Academy has grown since 1845.

Meanwhile visitors continue to be attracted to Freedom 7, the real space capsule piloted by the late Rear Adm. Alan B. Shepard, Class of 1945. Shepard’s 15-minute flight on May 5, 1961, took him 116.5 miles in space and marked America’s first step in the ''space race.''

Also popular at the Visitor Center are three interactive video kiosks, which feature John Paul Jones, Distinguished Graduate Award recipients, and a combination of Midshipman and alumni interviews and service assignments in a third.

Rotating exhibits with seasonal themes attract visitors to specific programs and keep the information relevant to current events. ''Super Stars of the Navy: The Navy’s Black Admirals'' goes up for Black History Month, and ''Historical Naval Flags'' is available for Flag Day and the Fourth of July.

Wilson is concerned about first impressions. He wants the exhibits to look good for the first-time visitors, and he wants them to walk away with a good understanding of the history, the sacrifices and the legacies of the great naval heroes and those who are following in their footsteps.

''I’m an educator,'' Wilson said, ''and these exhibits are good teaching tools because they create images of size, scale and atmosphere and have to look good.''

Editor’s note: Wilson has taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore for 34 years, served as a set designer for Maryland Public Television for 10 years, and participated in historical reenactments for 37 years.