MARITIME MUSEUM (Mark)

The Maritime Museum in Newport News, Virginia is simply fascinating.

The Museum has everything from miniature carved ships, such as the Crabtree collection.  Also what could be considered miniature ships that are more than 10 feet in length.

Posters and art, from many eras, some more humorous than others.

One of the presentations that should not be missed is the presentation in the theater regarding the battle of the ironclad ships.  The day-long battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia changed naval warfare forever.  The short movie presentation is extremely well done.

The construction of both vessels is covered in depth, including some of the actual draft documents.  Mock-ups of the vessels and what it would be like to live in the vessels is well covered.  The entire turret of the Monitor is being rehabbed at the facility.  The story of how the Monitor was recovered is also very interesting.

One entire auditorium is devoted to the story of the Oracle Americas Cup racing story.  Suspended from the roof is the Oracle Catamaran.  It is simply huge!

Hopefully you will get a chance to visit.