Building the National Museum of the Surface Navy: Honoring Surface Warriors in Phase 1
By Jonathan Williams
President & CEO, National Museum of the Surface Navy

The National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA is well underway, and as we approach Phase 1 completion in late 2025, we are excited to highlight two key initiatives that directly honor the experiences, achievements, and legacy of Surface Warriors—past, present, and future.

The Great Ships Experience and Life of a Sailor initiatives are at the heart of this first phase, immersing visitors in the Navy’s rich legacy and the daily realities of those who serve in the Surface Navy. These experiences are more than just exhibits—they are a tribute to the men and women who have stood the watch on the world’s oceans, projecting power, ensuring maritime security, and shaping global narratives.

Great Ships Experience: The Legacy of Surface Warriors

At the center of the museum’s first phase will be the Great Ships Experience, a high-impact, immersive display that will bring more than 600 of history’s most iconic surface combatants to life. A 68-foot high-definition LED wall, paired with dynamic lighting, sound, and artifact displays, will allow visitors to experience the power and presence of the great warships that have defined naval history.

From battleships to destroyers, cruisers to amphibs, the display will be a living monument to the ships that shaped naval operations. Whether it’s the mighty Iowa Class battleships, the workhorse destroyers of the Cold War and beyond, or the littoral combatants of today, every visitor will come to understand the role these vessels played—and continue to play—in shaping world events.

Life of a Sailor: From Deck Plates to Command

The Life of a Sailor initiative will provide a deeply personal look at what it means to serve aboard a Navy ship. This initiative consists of two key elements:

Legacy Sailors – Honoring legendary and named individuals in Surface Warfare history

Fleet Sailors – A first-of-its-kind “Adopt a Sailor” program that allows visitors and supporters to sponsor real-life sailors or themed experience sailors, ensuring their stories live on in a way that resonates with future generations

Through interactive exhibits, augmented reality, and hands-on engagement, visitors will experience everything from boot camp indoctrination to life at sea, learning about the teamwork, sacrifice, and resilience that define a Surface Warrior.

This initiative isn’t just about history—it’s about connection, honoring those who served, and ensuring their legacies continue for the next generation of Surface Warriors.

Progress Toward the National Museum of the Surface Navy

With the launch of these initiatives, we are solidifying the National Museum of the Surface Navy as a home for the fleet, by the fleet. Your service, your ships, and your stories are at the core of what we are building.

As we prepare to open Phase 1 in 2025, we invite you to get involved—whether by sponsoring a sailor, contributing artifacts, or sharing your experiences. This museum is not just about the past: it’s a living chronicle of the Surface Navy and the warriors who continue to stand the watch.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard the National Museum of the Surface Navy—your museum, your legacy, your home.