CEO Corner
Updates from Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is the President & CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center, home of the Battleship IOWA, LA Fleet Week, and the National Museum of the Surface Navy. A purpose-driven leader and storyteller, he shares updates and insights from one of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. His writing explores leadership, community, and culture — connecting lessons from the deck plate to the boardroom while highlighting the people, progress, and purpose that continue to drive the mission forward.
Newest Updates
LA Fleet Week
LA Fleet Week connects nearly 1,000 service members with more than 250,000 people across Southern California through ships, community events, service, and shared experiences.
Camp Battleship Overnight
Camp Battleship gives youth groups an unforgettable opportunity to experience life aboard the historic Battleship IOWA.
Where It Began – and Why It Still Matters
Two hundred fifty years ago, our nation was not yet a nation at all.
Would You Climb Down 30 Feet Into This Steel Cave?
Where’s Battleship IOWA’s intrepid team off to this time? We’re taking you into a space rarely seen by ANYONE.
Finding a Lost Airliner | Explorer Russ Matthews
In 2019, while researching lost aircraft and ships in the South Pacific, explorer, filmmaker, and National Museum of the Surface Navy advisory board member RUSS MATTHEWS stumbled across an article that would change his life.
How Close Is Battleship IOWA to Disneyland? Plan Your Visit.
Battleship IOWA is approximately 30 miles from the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, making it an easy addition to a Southern California vacation. Depending on traffic, the drive typically takes about 40 to 60 minutes.
IOWA recommissioning ceremony August 25, 1951 / the Korean War
New Collection Added to Battleship IOWA's Archives: Photographs and Written Memories from the Korean War Commissioning Lt. Robert McKinnell served aboard BB-61 as Assistant Outgoing Stores Officer during the Korean War. His daughter, Susan, has generously donated these materials to ensure his experiences remain part of the ship’s living history. Here is a taste of what Susan shared with us. BB-61 Recomissioning Ceremony Photographs by Allied Photographers, San Francisco. IOWA's...
USS IOWA Education Programs Leverage Historic Battleship to Bring STEM Lessons to Life
Battleship IOWA transforms history into a hands-on learning experience. Through its STEAM at Sea programs, students explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math aboard a historic battleship, connecting classroom concepts with the ingenuity that designed, built, and operated one of America’s most iconic ships.
Ethos of Preservation
How do we think of preservation when it comes to Battleship IOWA?
STEM Lesson: Sound, Sonar, and Underwater Detection
Battleship IOWA Lesson Plan: Sound, Sonar, and Underwater Detection Recommended grade range: Grades 5-8, adaptable for older studentsTime: 60-90 minutes for a condensed lesson, or 2-3 class periods if completing several activitiesSubject areas: STEM, Physical Science, Maritime Science, EngineeringTheme: How sailors use sound to understand an environment they cannot see Lesson Overview The ocean presents a major challenge: humans cannot see very far underwater, but sound can travel long...
LIMITED TIME ONLY! Receive a digital commemorative Plank Owner certificate.
Join Free. Earn Points.
Become a Surface Navy Museum and Battleship IOWA Patron and, for a limited time, receive a free digital commemorative Plank Owner certificate.
Stay connected with special updates and invitations, earn points for your support, and redeem them for experiences, apparel, and more.