A group of people sit at round tables under a canopy, watching a large screen showing a close-up of a sheep at a sports event, with a scoreboard visible in the background—a unique scene featured in the latest museum update.

A battleship with large cannons points forward; above it are two football helmets, one blue and one red, facing each other against a blue sky with clouds.

A view through a narrow view port into a cluttered, industrial room with pipes, wires, and a blue-and-white flag hanging on the right side. Tables with various items are seen in the center—a striking scene perfect for this week’s Fan Photo Friday by Paul Huskey.

A group of people in jackets and hats work together to handle ropes alongside a docked ship, with equipment, rails, and machinery visible nearby on a wooden pier during the latest museum update.

A damaged concrete block with a hole and exposed metal rests on a red wheeled dolly on cracked asphalt, awaiting relocation as part of the latest museum update.

A large gray battleship, the Battleship USS Iowa, is docked at a pier with a Battleship Iowa banner above the gangway. Equipment, hoses, and a Honda generator are visible in the foreground on the pavement at the Pacific Battleship Center.

People sit at round tables under a tent, watching a large screen showing a close-up of a sheep at a football game. The atmosphere is casual, with attendees wearing jackets and hats, as they relax and wait for the CEO update to begin.

Five people stand smiling in front of the USS Iowa battleship, with large cannons and the ship’s number 82 visible. One person, presenting a check as part of a recent CEO update, stands at the center. It’s a sunny day with a blue sky and some scattered clouds.

A panel of speakers sits at a black table on an outdoor stage, addressing an audience. A woman stands at a podium. People in the audience listen, some wearing masks. City buildings and palm trees are visible in the background.

Four people, three standing and one crouching, smile while posing with large metal wheels and machinery inside an industrial or ship engine room. Pipes, gauges, and a No Smoking sign are visible in the background, creating the perfect setting for a unique CEO update from behind the scenes.

Two server racks contain various servers, network switches, cables, and a laptop on the left. Some equipment is powered on, with connected wires and loose cables on the floor in a basement-like technical room—ready for any urgent CEO update or system maintenance needs.

White hailstones scattered on a dark, weathered outdoor surface near a gray metal structure and a rusted white pipe—a striking scene reminiscent of the unexpected storms that marked March 2023.

Three smiling men pose together at an indoor event, wearing jackets and name tags—perhaps capturing a moment from the CEO Update in March 2023. People are gathered in the background, some wearing hats and scarves, in a warmly lit room.

Five people smile and pose with thumbs up inside an industrial or mechanical room filled with pipes, gauges, and equipment. Some wear glasses and face masks. This photo was taken during the CEO Update on March 29, 2023.

Two older men stand indoors, holding a sign about an $8,160 awning and brow repair donation, dated March 14, 2023. One wears a USS Iowa cap and jacket; the other wears glasses and a light blue sweater. This moment was highlighted in the CEO Update on March 16, 2023.

A man in casual clothes stands next to a detailed drawing of a battleship displayed on an easel inside a room with technical equipment and shelves, as part of the latest Museum Update featured in museum news on March 23, 2023.

A group of people chat and mingle in an indoor space near a Pepsi-branded table during the Museum Update on March 23, 2023. Some hold drinks or plates of food, and pipes are visible on the ceiling above them.

A man in a red shirt gives a presentation to an audience, showing a black-and-white image of submarines on a large screen inside a room with wooden walls and round windows, as part of the Museum Update on March 23, 2023.

Large metal parts wrapped in plastic sit on a pallet outdoors, beside a yellow vehicle. In the background are ship guns, machinery, and the USS Iowa BB-61 docked at a port under a sunny sky. This Museum Update from March 2023 captures ongoing preservation efforts and new arrivals at the historic site.

Two people in chef uniforms stand behind a cooking station labeled Team U.S. Coast Guard outdoors, with kitchen equipment, a large water bottle, and a waterfront with ships and cranes in the background. This photo was taken at an event near the museum in April 2023—an exciting update highlighting the Coast Guard’s culinary talents by the harbor.

In April 2023, visitors on a ship deck at the museum watch and photograph a large puff of smoke rising from a cannon, with blue sky and ocean visible. Some are seated, while others stand taking in the scene.

Three large naval gun barrels point upward, with two helicopters flying in the cloudy sky above a navy ship—a scene reminiscent of the strategic developments highlighted in the CEO Update on May 31, 2023.

A group of teens and kids pose in front of a large gray battleship with big gun turrets on a sunny day in May 2023. Some are standing, some crouching, and everyone looks cheerful.

A news reporter conducts a CEO Update interview with a man outside the Battleship Iowa Museum on May 10, 2023. The man, wearing glasses and a navy shirt, speaks as the reporter holds a KTLA 5 microphone. In the background, a ship and plaques are visible.

Two men with bow ties smiling for a selfie at an indoor event. Behind them are rows of chairs, a large American flag, and official banners displayed on a large structure, hinting at a formal and celebratory atmosphere. Captured during the June 2023 CEO Update, this moment reflects the spirit of leadership highlighted in recent CEO news.

A man stands on a dock, smiling and pretending to hold up a large naval gun barrel above his head. Navy aircraft and a ship marked 82 IOWA are visible in the background, capturing an unforgettable moment reminiscent of highlights featured in the June 2023 CEO Update.

A man in a suit speaks at a podium on the deck of the battleship Vicky, with military equipment visible behind him and another person standing nearby, creating an immersive museum experience.

A group of children poses on a ship’s deck in front of a large white dog statue, with big gray cannons and city buildings visible in the background under a sunny blue sky—captured during the Museum Update on July 1, 2023.

Three veterans in uniform stand behind a group of young Girl Scouts outdoors, all smiling at the camera. Shipping cranes and tents are visible in the background under a cloudy sky, capturing a memorable moment from the Museum Update on July 1, 2023.

Two elderly men, one with a cane, sit and talk at an outdoor table, sharing stories and updates about their lives. A woman in blue and sunglasses sits behind them, while another person walks by in the background under a clear blue sky.

People enjoying a festive update to the waterfront scene are eating at outdoor tables near a large battleship, surrounded by food trucks, vendor tents, and a clear blue sky. The lively atmosphere draws many families and groups together as they enjoy the revitalized event.

Two men stand beside a flatbed truck carrying large, missile-shaped objects, recently added as part of an equipment update, parked next to a naval ship. The objects are secured with straps and have yellow-tipped ends.

Sailors use wooden beams to maneuver a heavy anchor chain on a ship’s deck, demonstrating an update in traditional techniques. Other crew members and equipment are visible, with the sea in the background.

Four men in navy blue uniforms operate large wheel mechanisms on a ship’s deck in this updated scene. The background shows a busy harbor, various ships, railings, and palm trees under a cloudy sky. Tools are visible in one man’s pocket.

Two people work together to update and secure a large canvas on a gray structure. One stands on a ladder, while the other is on top, both holding the canvas and working near a metal wire under a cloudy sky.

Four men, two in yellow shirts, one in dark coveralls, and one in a black T-shirt and hat, work together updating thick ropes on a dock. One man swings a large mallet. Palm trees and buildings are visible in the background.

People watch a football game on a large outdoor screen under a tent with tables and chairs. Text promotes Football on the Fantail and lists event times for Sundays and Mondays—check out our latest update for current schedules and special announcements.

A man in a green shirt, indicated by a red arrow, stands near a counter at the back of a meeting room while people sit and listen to a presentation with maps projected on a screen.

People sit at round tables under a tent, watching a football game on a large screen at the Battleship USS Iowa, a renowned Los Angeles museum. Patio heaters and clear tent walls are visible, and it appears to be evening outside.

A man sits at a radio station microphone, giving an update as he talks to three girls, while a woman stands behind them smiling. The room is filled with electronic equipment and wires.

A group of people in Navy and military uniforms gather outdoors at an event, with a battleship, tents, and cranes in the background under a cloudy sky, reflecting an update to traditional ceremonies held in maritime settings.

A large group of people in formal attire attend a dinner event under a tent, facing a stage with a screen displaying FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. The atmosphere is lively, almost reminiscent of the excitement following a successful jailbreak, as guests mingle around tables set with gold plates and wine glasses.

A group of people at a ribbon-cutting event on a ship, holding large scissors and a sign. Nearby, an Earth-themed turtle mascot costume adds a fun update to the celebration.

Six people stand in front of a display at the National Museum of the Surface Navy, dressed formally, holding awards and smiling for a group photo to commemorate an important update.

Two people stand closely together, reading updated information panels about U.S. Navy ocean technologies in a well-lit, interactive science exhibit with blue and orange lighting.

A person wearing safety gear and a helmet crawls on a high metal platform, secured with a harness, against a clear blue sky—an inspiring reminder of courage and community spirit, perfect for Giving Tuesday.

A cartoon goat in a navy uniform lifts a large battleship above its head. Text reads: National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship Iowa in Los Angeles—donate today to help support our museum!.

Illustration of a battleship with sails and navy guns, decorated with colorful flags. A speech bubble says, Freedom of the Seas Since 1775! Label reads Battleship IOWA, National Museum of the Surface Navy in Los Angeles. Visit this extraordinary museum or donate to support its mission today.

Interactive whale exhibit at the museum offers a unique experience, featuring a steering wheel and lever in front of a display screen showing information and an image of Vicky, the humpback whale. Blue-lit panels are on either side of the controls.

A close-up view of dock equipment, including ropes, cables, clamps, and a yellow strap securing a platform over water at a pier—capturing the quiet industry at the waterfront as Thanksgiving approaches.

An elderly man in a World War II veteran hat salutes, standing beside other veterans under a tent during a Veterans Day ceremony. Some are seated, and everyone wears similar hats and casual clothes. The atmosphere appears respectful and solemn.

Four elderly men wearing military hats sit around a large round table under a tent at an outdoor event, likely in celebration of Veterans Day. Other people and American flag decorations are visible in the background.

Two men in navy and khaki uniforms stand under a tent at an outdoor Veterans Day event, with people seated behind them. One man holds papers; the other wears sunglasses and a cap. Sunlight filters in, creating a bright scene.

Four elderly men wearing military caps sit in front of framed photos on a red carpet at an outdoor event near a battleship, under a tent with sunlight streaming in, as part of a Veterans Day commemoration.

A group of people in matching Marathon shirts stand around a large pot of food on a ship deck during a Veterans Day gathering. One person stirs the pot, and a child in a hat stands among them. Coolers and supplies are visible nearby.

Four scouts, in uniform, carefully fold an American flag during an outdoor Veterans Day ceremony. Several other people sit and watch in the background. Cranes and shipping containers are visible in the distance.

A child in a superhero costume plays pin-the-nose-on-the-pumpkin with two adults watching, one dressed as a captain, on a ship deck decorated for Halloween events. Yellow caution tape is in the background.

Families and children in costumes trick-or-treat at decorated car trunks with Halloween inflatables, enjoying one of the season’s most festive events, while a police officer hands out candy at an outdoor gathering in front of a battleship.

A family in Halloween costumes poses on a ship deck under an inflatable arch reading Welcome Mortals, surrounded by jack-o-lantern decorations, holding trick-or-treat bags at night, enjoying one of the ship’s festive events.

People sit and stand around a table with crafts at night on a ship deck, illuminated by bright lights. Large cannons and ship structures are visible in the background, creating a unique atmosphere for events held aboard the vessel.

A group of adults and children gather around a long table filled with crafts during one of the community events, as a person in a red shirt helps a child with an art activity in a busy, indoor setting.

A large group watches a speaker and panel onstage under a tent, with a video call shown on a big screen behind them during the 2023 Museum Update. People sit at tables with paper bags, and city buildings are visible in the background.

A man in a blue shirt uses a rotary dial on a metal communication device, holding a handset to his ear in a room with control panels and pipes—a classic scene featured in the 2023 December 21 Museum Update.

An older man in a USS IOWA BB-61 hat sits in an office, holding a folder and smiling. He wears glasses, a navy shirt, and jeans. Office equipment, papers, and a clock are visible around him as he shares the latest Museum Update on December 21, 2023.

Four people work at computer stations in a control room with equipment, wires, and monitors—a setup reminiscent of the command centers used during critical moments like Pearl Harbor. Signs say QUIET ZONE. The floor is blue and the room appears organized and busy.

Battleship deck with three large gray cannons, yellow covers on their ends, chairs, orange cones, and rope barriers. Overcast sky and ship structures in the background. Museum Update: As of December 21, 2023, new safety features and visitor seating have been added to enhance your experience.

Annual Information

A clearer organizational purpose

In 2023, Pacific Battleship Center continued refining its mission around the idea of freedom of the seas and the role of the Surface Navy in security, trade, humanitarian response, technology, and public service. The framework helped connect activities that could otherwise appear unrelated: preserving IOWA, serving veterans, educating students, supporting emergency preparedness, producing LA Fleet Week, and developing a national museum.

This was more than branding. A clear public purpose helps determine which programs to build, which partnerships to pursue, how to allocate limited resources, and how to explain the organization to donors and visitors.

The first National Museum exhibit opened

Pacific Battleship Center opened “U.S. Navy — Stewards of the Sea,” in partnership with the U.S. Navy as the first exhibition formally identified with the National Museum of the Surface Navy. The exhibit explored the relationship between sailors, naval operations, the marine environment, and scientific understanding.

Its importance was both interpretive and institutional. Visitors encountered a story that extended beyond IOWA’s own service record. At the same time, the organization gained real experience designing and delivering content for a museum intended to represent the entire Surface Navy.

Attendance and program activity accelerated

Battleship IOWA welcomed 135,714 visitors in 2023, a 33 percent increase reported in the annual review. Youth participation reached 9,717. The organization delivered 9,171 direct services and hosted 2,505 on-site groups and programs.

LA Fleet Week brought more than 100,000 visitors to the waterfront through more than 110 events. These numbers describe an institution being used in many ways: toured by travelers, used by educators, activated for veterans and community programs, and integrated into regional civic life.

Preservation was tested by real conditions

The year’s preservation work included moving four approximately 1,900-pound projectiles into the Turret One shell deck, preparing bridge-wing areas, improving shipboard facilities, and continuing the daily cycle of maintenance. Severe weather, including Tropical Storm Hilary, tested mooring, drainage, emergency response, and operational readiness.

That experience reinforced a principle familiar to every ship operator: preservation is readiness. The inspections, systems, training, communication, and teamwork developed during ordinary days determine how well a historic vessel responds when conditions become abnormal.

The crew remained the operating system

A crew of 478 volunteers contributed 51,651 hours in 2023, valued at more than $1.54 million. The annual report noted that 43 percent of active volunteers were veterans and 61 percent were age 55 or older.

Those figures reveal a second mission embedded in the operating model. Volunteering preserved the ship, but it also created purpose, camaraderie, skills, and a place for people to contribute experience that might otherwise be lost.

Financial and supporter growth supported expansion

Revenue reached approximately $6.62 million in 2023. The Plank Owner community grew to more than 12,400 registered supporters, expanding the national constituency around the Surface Navy Museum initiative.

Internal year-end correspondence also shows an organization actively aligning department priorities, strategic planning, preservation funding, development strategy, national campaign materials, veterans partnerships, and future exhibits. The public results were supported by substantial behind-the-scenes coordination.

The waterfront future became more coordinated

Planning for the museum’s long-term relationship with the redeveloping LA Waterfront continued to advance. Aligning ship access, future shoreside facilities, visitor circulation, exhibits, events, and neighboring development required years of coordination among Pacific Battleship Center, the Port of Los Angeles, designers, funders, and community partners.

Large cultural projects rarely move in a straight line, but by the end of 2023 the organization had progressed from a broad national-museum concept toward coordinated physical and interpretive planning.

Why 2023 mattered

The defining theme of 2023 was conversion: strategy into exhibits, partnerships into services, preservation plans into physical work, supporters into a national community, and a broader mission into measurable activity.

By year’s end, the National Museum of the Surface Navy was no longer only a future idea. Visitors could see its interpretive direction aboard IOWA, while Pacific Battleship Center could point to stronger attendance, broader programs, a growing supporter base, and a clearer institutional path.

Research basis and further reading

• Pacific Battleship Center 2023 Annual Report; education, National Museum, and LA Fleet Week materials

• Pacific Battleship Center internal year-end strategic and operational correspondence

Limited time only beginning on September 5, 2026!

Kids Board Free

In the all-new Life of a Sailor experience, kids become sailor recruits, building their skills, following the story of a famous sailor, and joining Vicky the Dog on a scavenger hunt through Battleship IOWA.

Kids board free with a paid adult.

Learn About the Experience

2023: From Strategy to Action Aboard Battleship IOWA