Seabee Museum and Memorial Park facts for kids
The Seabee Museum and Memorial Park is a special place in Davisville, Rhode Island. It is a non-profit museum, which means it does not make money for owners. Instead, all money goes back into the museum. This museum teaches visitors about the Seabees of the U.S. Navy. The Seabees are the construction battalions of the U.S. Navy. They build things like roads, bridges, and airfields.
The museum is located at Quonset Point. This area was a very important United States Navy base during World War II. It was home to the Naval Air Station Quonset Point. This is also where the famous Quonset Hut was invented. Quonset Huts are special buildings shaped like half-cylinders.
In the 1990s, a group of former Seabees and their friends decided to build this museum themselves. They wanted to share the history of the Seabees. The museum covers about 6.5 acres (2.6 hectares). It includes a former Navy concrete chapel and seven old Quonset Huts. These huts were saved when nearby Camp Endicott was taken down. The museum also has the original Gate Seabee statue. Next to it is the Quonset Air Museum, which is in buildings that were part of the old Naval Air Station.
What are the Seabees?
The Seabees are the construction workers of the United States Navy. Their motto is "We Build, We Fight." They are known for building important structures quickly, often in difficult places. They have served in many conflicts and natural disasters around the world. They build everything from runways and docks to hospitals and schools.
History of the Museum
The idea for the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park came from people who loved the Seabees. Many of them were Seabees themselves. They wanted a place to honor the Seabees' hard work and bravery. They started building the museum in the 1990s. It was a big project, and they did much of the construction themselves. This shows the true spirit of the Seabees!
What You Can See at the Museum
When you visit the Seabee Museum, you can explore many interesting things.
- The museum has a former Navy chapel made of concrete.
- You can see seven original Quonset Huts. These huts were used by the Navy and are a big part of Seabee history.
- There is a special statue called the "Fighting Seabee Statue." It shows a Seabee ready for action.
- You can learn about the history of Quonset Point and its role in World War II.
- The museum also shares its space with the Quonset Air Museum. This museum focuses on the history of aviation at Quonset Point.
See also
- U.S. Navy Seabee Museum
- U.S. Navy Museum
