Navy's new heritage and history museum in DC aims to be a more accessible tourist destination with Civil War and other artifacts, a conference center and retail

Conceptual drawing of the interior, subject to changes (AtkinsRéalis Group Inc.)

The new home of the National Museum of the United States Navy – which has some of the Civil War’s most-treasured naval artifacts – will feature a conference center, retail space and enhanced public access, officials announced in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and others gathered at the planned campus at Tingey Street and M Street just outside the Washington Navy Yard. Speakers said the museum will go from a traditional site to a more engaging campus, all the while ensuring the story of sailors' courage and sacrifice will continue to be told.

“It is intended to be a self-funded tourist destination that aims to intrigue, inform and inspire generations of visitors,” the Naval History and Heritage Command said in a news release.

The Navy will work with the nonprofit Navy Museum Development Foundation on construction and operation.

The news release did not indicate when the new site might open. The Picket reached out the Navy and the foundation about any plans to display Civil War artifacts, and they said any firm plans for their future have not been made.

One of several ship's models in the current Building 76 (U.S. Navy photo)

Building 76 of the current museum has been open on Saturdays only as curators and staff prepare for the new location. The “Securing the Seas” Civil War exhibit focuses on control of trade routes, the Federal blockade and technology.

Visitors have to provide ID and have limited access to the area because it is on the secure Washington Navy Yard. The new location will be outside the yard, meaning access will not be restrictive.

The main naval battles explored are New Orleans, Mobile Bay, Hampton Roads and the engagement between USS Kearsarge and Confederate commerce raider Alabama near Cherbourg, France.

Numerous items related to that clash are on display, including the shattered sternpost of the Kearsarge (below), a ship’s bell and a toilet.

Most of the objects from Alabama that were considered underwater archaeological recovery pieces have been removed from display, says Wesley Schwenk, registrar for the museum in Washington. They are retained in storage for preservation purposes. 

Items that have been on display in “Securing the Seas” include a watch bell from USS Merrimack, a Confederate frame torpedo, mustard and pepper bottles from USS Monitor, ship models, a sword belonging to Rear Adm. David D. Farragut and a 12-pounder howitzer.

A drawing on the foundation’s website appears to show an historic Navy building within the new campus.

“The new museum will also become the cornerstone of a Navy Campus based on a sustainable business model designed for long-term durability of the project,” the foundation says. “In addition to freeing up critically needed space at Washington Navy Yard, the mixed-use Campus will create opportunities for vitally needed revenue streams to support museum programs.”

The website touts the city’s “hottest neighborhood” and 22 million annual visitors to the District of Columbia.

“The new National Museum of the U.S. Navy will provide a dramatically improved opportunity for the American public to be inspired by the long history of valor and sacrifice of American sailors in the defense of our country, and to learn the vital importance of seapower to our way of life,” said NHHC director Samuel J. Cox in the news release.

Officials with the foundation cautioned the design of the museum may look very different from conceptual plans on its website.

Kristina Higgins, a public affairs officer for the Navy History and Heritage Command, said submitted design concepts are being considered.

Conceptual drawing of the interior, subject to change (AtkinsRéalis Group Inc.)

“The exhibits in the new museum will be completely researched, designed and installed from a blank slate, drawing upon community input and the very latest scholarship and interpretations in the field of U.S. Naval History,” Higgins said in an email. “To the extent that current exhibits support the interpretations designed for the new building, they may be moved.”

Officials said the museum will include items from the full breadth of naval history.

“Not every item currently on exhibit in the NMUSN will be moved on to the floor of the new museum as new galleries are designed” according to Higgins. “Some pieces may not fit with the new story being told, and therefore they will be placed in our off-exhibit collection to be used at a later date.”

Building 76 will be used as office space, conservation and storage of off-exhibit items in the short term. Long-term plans will be dependent on the needs of the Washington Navy Yard, officials said.