Nauticus facts for kids
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| Established | 1994 |
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| Location | One Waterside Drive Norfolk, Virginia United States |
| Type | Maritime |
Nauticus is an exciting science center and museum all about the ocean and ships! It's located right on the water in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. People also know it as the National Maritime Center. It's a great place to learn about naval history, marine life, and how ships work.
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Discovering Nauticus: A Look at Its History
Nauticus began its journey in February 1988. A retired naval officer, Rear Admiral Jackson Knowles Parker, helped get it started.
Construction began in February 1992 on what used to be Norfolk's "Banana Pier." Nauticus officially opened its doors to the public in June 1994. Other fun places nearby include the Virginia Zoo and Harbor Park, where the Norfolk Tides baseball team plays.
Exploring the Nauticus Campus
Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center
The City of Norfolk opened the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center at Nauticus on April 7, 2007. This large, 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m2) building is designed for cruise ship passengers. It offers amazing views of the Elizabeth River.
The center has a special walkway for passengers and a bridge that leads to a marina with 16 boat slips. It also has fancy floor tiles and a separate lounge for VIP cruise guests. There's a secure area for customs and a place to check in for your cruise. The first cruise ship, RCI's Empress of the Seas, arrived here on April 28, 2007.
The Half Moone is also a popular place for events. It has about 23,000 square feet (2,100 m2) of space for parties and gatherings. These event areas often include exhibits about history. For example, the Bermuda Room shows items that connect Virginia and Bermuda. The Half Moone Vista shares facts about the old fort that once stood there.
The name "Half Moone" comes from a fort built on the same spot in 1673. This fort was shaped like a "half moon" and protected Norfolk's growing shipping industry. In April 2024, the Carnival Legend cruise ship even docked here after a bridge collapse changed its route.
USS Wisconsin: A Mighty Battleship
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One of the biggest battleships ever built arrived at Nauticus on December 7, 2000. This date was special because it was the 57th anniversary of the USS Wisconsin's launching in 1943. This was exactly two years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The USS Wisconsin opened for main deck tours on April 16, 2001. This date marked 57 years since the ship was commissioned in 1944.
Wisconsin is one of four Iowa-class battleships built for the United States Navy. It was constructed from 1941 to 1943. The ship played a big role in World War II, earning five battle stars for its service against Japanese forces. It also served during the Korean War. Later, in 1991, it led the Navy’s attack on Iraq during the Persian Gulf War. It fired the first Tomahawk missile of that campaign. The ship was decommissioned in October 1996.
On April 16, 2010, the United States Navy officially gave ownership of the ship to the city of Norfolk, Virginia. This was exactly 66 years after it was first commissioned. Many important people, including Vice Admiral David Architzel and Mayor Paul Fraim, attended the ceremony.
By the end of November 2009, over 2.4 million visitors had explored the teak decks of Wisconsin. People from all over the U.S. and many other countries have come to see this amazing battleship.
Sail Nauticus: Learning to Sail
Sail Nauticus is a special nonprofit organization started by the Nauticus Foundation in 2013. It's a community sailing center that offers programs for both adults and young people. Its main program is the Sail Nauticus Academy. This after-school program works with Norfolk Public Schools. It teaches middle school students how to sail and learn about maritime sciences using a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) approach.
Exciting Exhibits at Nauticus
The museum is full of fun, hands-on exhibits. It has interactive theaters, aquariums, and high-definition films. Nauticus also offers many educational programs. The Broke Theater, a large screen theater, shows different movies about the ocean and ships.
On the third floor, Nauticus opened a new exhibit in May 2023 called "Norfolk in Time." This exhibit shares stories about Norfolk's history, culture, science, and industry. It shows how the city has been strong through many challenges. Also on the third floor, Nauticus opened "Aquaticus" in June 2023. This exhibit is made for younger visitors and includes a large play area with a slide. The Nautical Neighborhood Aquarium is also on the third floor.
The rest of the third floor at Nauticus will also be updated soon. This is part of a big project called "Reimagine Nauticus."
The second floor of Nauticus is home to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. This is also where you can find the entrance to the battleship Wisconsin.
See also
