Submarine Force Library and Museum facts for kids
A UGM-84 missile outside the entrance
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| Established | 1955 |
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| Location | Groton, Connecticut |
| Type | Military museum |
| Collection size | 33,000 artifacts 20,000 significant documents 30,000 photographs |
| Visitors | 150,000/year |
The United States Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum is a cool place to visit in Groton, Connecticut. It sits right by the Thames River. This museum is super special because it's the only submarine museum run entirely by the Navy.
This means it holds many important submarine items. One of the most famous is the USS Nautilus (SSN-571). This was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine! When you visit, you can take a 30-minute audio tour inside the Nautilus itself.
Exploring the Museum's History
The museum started in 1955 as the Submarine Library. It was created by a company called Electric Boat Company (EB). In 1964, EB gave the library to the Navy. The Navy then moved it to its current spot. This new location is right next to the Naval Submarine Base New London.
The museum got its official name in 1969. Later, in 1984, a group called the "Connecticut Nautilus Committee" was formed. They wanted to raise money to make the museum even better. They also hoped the Navy would donate the Nautilus to the museum.
A new building for the museum was built. It was about 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m2) in size. Money for this building came from the state, people, and businesses. This new facility opened its doors in 1986.
In 1997, the Committee began planning an even bigger addition. This new part would be about 13,465-square-foot (1,250.9 m2). They started raising money the next year. Construction happened from 1998 to early 2000. The new addition officially opened on April 28, 2000. This opening was part of a big celebration. It marked 100 years of the United States Submarine Force.
Discovering Submarine Collections and Exhibits
The museum has an amazing collection of 33,000 items. The biggest star is the USS Nautilus. This was the very first nuclear-powered submarine in the world! The Nautilus was launched in 1955. It stopped being used by the Navy in 1980. During the Cold War, it even traveled under the polar ice cap. It was the first submarine to reach the North Pole.
You can also see a copy of David Bushnell's Turtle. This was a tiny submarine built in 1775. It was the first submarine ever used in a battle! Other cool things at the museum include:
- Small submarines from World War II.
- Working periscopes you can look through.
- Parts saved from the nuclear submarine USS NR-1.
- A submarine control room you can explore.
- Models of different submarines.
- The Explorer, an early research submarine.
Outside the museum, near the entrance, you can see a large part of the USS George Washington. This was the first nuclear-powered submarine that could launch missiles.
The museum also has a huge library. It holds about 20,000 documents. There are also 30,000 photos about how submarines were developed. The library has 6,000 books on submarine history. One book from 1551 talks about how to get a submarine back if it sinks. There's also an 1870 copy of Jules Verne's famous book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. With it, you can see a model of the fictional Nautilus from the book.
The collection also includes notes from John Philip Holland. He designed the Navy's first official submarine. You can also see unique items from World War I and World War II. The library also has collections from the Electric Boat Corporation and the Navy.
Connecticut magazine called the museum "an absolute gem worth exploring." They said the USS Nautilus is "the star attraction." Anna Mundow, in a travel guide, said that "students of modern military history will be impressed" by the museum.
Images for kids
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Replica of Bushnell's Turtle
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HA-8 Japanese midget submarine
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The Nautilus
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SS X-1 Midget Submarine outside museum
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George Washington sail
