National Museum of the American Sailor facts for kids
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| Established | 2009 |
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| Location | Building 42 2531 Sheridan Road Great Lakes, Illinois 60088 |
| Type | Naval history |
The National Museum of the American Sailor is a special place that tells the amazing story of the United States Navy's enlisted Sailors. It used to be called the Great Lakes Naval Museum. This museum is one of 10 Navy Museums run by the Naval History & Heritage Command. Its main job is to find, collect, keep safe, and share the history of the U.S. Navy, especially focusing on the everyday Sailor.
The museum helps new Navy recruits learn about the Navy's long traditions of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. It also hosts events that teach the wider community about Navy history. The museum collects and shows U.S. Navy history that is true and fair. It works to keep the physical items and stories of enlisted Sailors safe for everyone to learn from. The museum also plans for the future by deciding what historical items to collect next. Plus, it creates fun and inspiring programs and exhibits to help people understand and appreciate the importance of the American Sailor.
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What You Can See: Collections and Exhibits
The National Museum of the American Sailor has over 40,000 items and records. These items are a super important record of the U.S. Navy. You can see Navy uniforms and accessories from the early 1900s all the way to today. The museum also has the largest collection of photos from "boot camp," which is where new Sailors get their training.
These collections tell the story of American Sailors in the Navy. The museum has permanent exhibits that show:
- What Navy boot camp is like.
- The history of women and different groups of people in the Navy.
- The story of Naval Station Great Lakes and how it helped the Navy.
- The special traditions and unique styles of Navy uniforms.
- What daily life is like for an enlisted Sailor.
The Museum's Story: Its History
The National Museum of the American Sailor is located at Naval Station Great Lakes. This base is where the Navy's only "Boot Camp" is found. The museum first started in 1991.
The Hostess House: A Special Building
In 2008, the museum moved into its current home, Building 42. This building was once called the Hostess House. It was designed in 1942 by a famous architect named Gordon Bunshaft. He worked for a well-known company called Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM).
During World War II, the Hostess House was a welcome center. Almost one million Sailors came through its doors before joining the Navy fleet. After the war, the building was used for different things. It eventually became old and was almost torn down. But people realized it was a great example of modern American architecture. So, it was saved and turned into the museum. The museum officially opened on January 12, 2009. By being in the Hostess House, the museum connects Sailors, Navy families, and the public to this special building and its important role in Navy history.
Becoming a National Museum
In January 2009, the Great Lakes Naval Museum became an official Department of the Navy museum. It was then run by the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). On May 29, 2014, the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, officially changed the museum's name. It became the National Museum of the American Sailor.
This new name shows that the museum now tells the story of all U.S. Sailors, not just those from the Great Lakes area. It helps new recruits, experienced Sailors, and visitors from all over the country learn about Navy heritage. The museum especially focuses on how regular people become Sailors and how these Sailors help protect the nation.
What You Can Do: Programs and Resources
The museum offers many fun and educational activities. You can take guided tours to learn more about the exhibits. They also have a lecture series where experts talk about Navy history. Sometimes, military bands even play concerts there! The museum also has STEM-based programs, which means they teach about science, technology, engineering, and math using Navy examples.
Many volunteers help with all the museum's activities. If you are doing a school project or research, you can even make an appointment to look at the museum's collection.
See also
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
