Naval History & Heritage Command facts for kids

The official logo of the Naval History & Heritage Command.

An aerial view of the historic Washington Navy Yard, where the NHHC is located.

The Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) is a special group that works to collect, protect, and share the amazing history of the U.S. Navy. Think of it as the Navy's main history department! It's located at the famous Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

The NHHC has many different parts, including the Navy's main library, ten museums, a heritage center, and even a place that helps repair the historic ship USS Constitution. They also look after the famous submarine USS Nautilus. All together, the NHHC has 42 different locations across 13 places!

What the NHHC Does: Protecting Navy Stories

The Naval History & Heritage Command has important goals to help everyone learn about the U.S. Navy's past.

• Gather and Keep History Safe: They collect and protect old items, documents, and artwork that show what naval history is all about. This helps future generations learn from the past.
• Share Knowledge: They do research and create materials to help people understand naval history better. They want to make sure everyone can learn from their work.
• Make History Exciting: The NHHC helps Navy sailors and Marines feel proud of their history. They make stories from the past come alive to boost team spirit and readiness.
• Show Navy's Importance: They remind everyone in America why having a strong Navy and Marine Corps is so important. These forces help protect citizens, their freedoms, and the country's trade routes on the seas.

Our Vision: The Best in Naval History

The NHHC's main goal is to be the most trusted place for U.S. naval history. They want to make sure that Americans feel proud of their Navy's heritage.

Who Leads the NHHC: The Directors

The role of Director of Naval History was first created in 1944. Many important leaders have held this position over the years, guiding the work of preserving Navy history.

• Admiral Edward C. Kalbfus, USN, July 1944 – December 1945
• Vice Admiral Vincent R. Murphy, USN (ret.), December 1945 – June 1946
• Rear Admiral John B. Heffernan, USN (ret.), July 1946 – October 1956
• Rear Admiral Ernest M. Eller, USN (ret.), October 1956 – January 1970
• Rear Admiral F. Kent Loomis, USN (ret.), 24 January 1970 – 31 July 1970
• Vice Admiral Edwin B. Hooper, USN (ret.), August 1970 – July 1976
• Rear Admiral John D. H. Kane, USN (ret.), August 1976 – December 1985
• Dr. Ronald H. Spector, 21 July 1986 – 19 July 1989
• Dr. Dean C. Allard, 29 July 1989 – 31 January 1995
• Dr. William S. Dudley, 23 July 1995 – 30 September 2005
• Rear Admiral Paul E. Tobin, Jr., USN (ret.), 25 July 2005 – January 2008
• Rear Admiral Jay A. DeLoach, USN (ret.), 23 June 2008 – 14 May 2012
• Captain Henry J. Hendrix, USN, 14 May 2012 - present

Amazing Collections: Treasures of the Navy

An expert at the NHHC carefully checks a piece of pottery. This pottery was found from the wreck of the USS Scorpion, a ship from 1812.

The NHHC collects and keeps many different types of historical items. These items help tell the story of the Navy. Here are some of the amazing collections you can find at their headquarters:

• Archives: Millions of official records, historical papers, and personal stories. This includes logs from ships going back thirty years!
• Historical Artifacts: Over 200,000 items like ship parts, anchors, bells, uniforms, flags, and weapons. Many of these come from famous Navy ships and people.
• Archaeological Artifacts: More than 9,000 items found from sunken military ships. These include personal belongings, weapons, and parts of the ships themselves.
• Photos: Over 500,000 historic pictures! There are also thousands more photos mixed in with the other records.
• Art: More than 18,000 paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures that show naval history.
• Library: The official Navy Department Library has over 150,000 books and 80,000 manuscripts. These are all about naval, maritime, and military history.

You can also find similar collections at the different Navy museums across the country. These museums focus on specific areas of Navy history.

Navy Museums: Exploring History Across the Nation

There are fifteen official Navy museums located all over the United States. These museums are great places to learn about the history, customs, and traditions of the U.S. Navy. They offer many fun and educational activities for families and students, including:

• Educational programs based on school lessons.
• Tours led by friendly guides called docents.
• Special evening events and summer activities.
• Lectures and musical performances.

All these events are open to the public and are usually free! You can visit the NHHC website to learn more about each of these museums:

• U.S. Navy Museum – Washington, DC
• U.S. Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum – Groton, CT
• Naval War College Museum – Newport, RI
• Hampton Roads Naval Museum – Norfolk, VA
• U.S. Naval Academy Museum – Annapolis, MD
• Patuxent River Naval Air Museum – Lexington Park, MD
• National Museum of Naval Aviation – Pensacola, FL
• Great Lakes Naval Museum – Great Lakes, IL
• Naval Museum of Armament & Technology – Ridgecrest, CA
• U.S. Navy Seabee Museum – Port Hueneme, CA
• Navy Museum Northwest – Keyport, WA / Bremerton, WA

Related pages

• United States Army Center of Military History