Pacific Battleship Center

a 501(c) non-profit
USS Iowa Hours:  10:00am-4:00pm

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Ignite Curiosity. Inspire Purpose.

Real-world learning experiences aboard Battleship IOWA — from daytime field trips to overnight adventures.

Daytime ProgramsOvernight Programs

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”
— William Arthur Ward

Daytime Programs

Inspire Curiosity Through Real-World Learning

A variety of engaging daytime programs and educational field trips aboard Battleship IOWA and virtually, designed to inspire students through hands-on STEAM, history, and leadership experiences.

American History Field Trip

Grades 2-12

Walk the decks of Battleship IOWA with one of our knowledgeable guides and discover the story of American seapower, innovation, and leadership. This foundational experience connects students with the people, events, and technology that shaped our nation’s history and continues to influence its future.

 

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Time: Flexible start time between 10 AM and 3:30 PM
  • Days Available: 7 days a week
  • Cost: $12 per person. One free chaperone for every 10 students. Teachers are free.

School Year: STEAM At Sea

Bring your students aboard for NGSS aligned STEM activities and maritime industry networking and mentorship opportunities.  

More About STEAM At Sea

STEAM at Sea aims to inspire curiosity in younger students, inform middle school students of maritime careers tied to specific STEM concepts, and connect high school students with industry professionals and mentors to establish a pathway towards a career in the maritime sector. 

Inspire (Grades 1–5) – Hands-on STEAM concepts through tangible shipboard exploration and classroom connections. Students rotate through three stations – one main deck tour station and two STEM activity stations.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
  • Days Available: Monday – Friday
  • Cost: $15.00 per person. One free chaperone for every 10 students. Teachers are free 

*Title 1 schools may apply  for scholarship funding to help cover either admission costs or bus transportation. Scholarships are subject to availability. 

 

Inform (Grades 6–8) – Deeper STEM applications, problem-solving activities, and introductions to career pathways. Students rotate through three stations – one main deck tour station and two STEM activity stations. 

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
  • Days Available: Monday – Friday
  • Cost: $15.00 per person. One free chaperone for every 10 students. Teachers are free

*Title 1 schools may apply  for scholarship funding to help cover either admission costs or bus transportation. Scholarships are subject to availability. 

 

Connect (Grades 9–12) – Industry connections, mentorship opportunities, and pathways to internships and careers. Under development. This program will consist of: 

  • An online database for counselors and students that outlines maritime careers, education/certification requirements, and a partner/mentor directory. 
  • On-board networking events where students meet directly with maritime professionals, through lectures, small group discussions, and career exploration fairs.

 

  • Duration: Variable
  • Time: Ranging from one hour to day long events
  • Days Available: Variable. Both during school and out of school hours
  • Cost: Both free and fee based events

Summer Program: STEM Adventure Camp

A weeklong, progressive STEM experience that builds daily with deeper exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

More About STEM Adventure Camp

This summer, Battleship IOWA is once again hosting our STEM Adventure Camp. Thanks to funding provided by the Crail-Johnson Foundation, children from moderate to low-income households in the greater LA Harbor Area are eligible for a scholarship to attend for FREE!

 

Camps are separated by grade and run Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Cost of attendance for a 1-week session of camp is $220 and includes all activity materials, a camp t-shirt, and daily snacks and beverages.

 

 
Dates for Summer Camp sessions:
Session 1 (1st/2nd grade): June 22nd – June 26th
Session 2 (3rd/4th grade): June 29th – July 3rd
Session 3 (5th/6th grade): July 6th – July 10th
Session 4 (7th/8th grade): July 13th – July 17th
Session 5 (1st/2nd grade): July 20th – July 24th
Session 6 (3rd/4th grade): July 27th – July 31st
Session 7 (5th/6th grade): August 3rd – August 7th
 
 
Have your summer explorers join us for exciting ship tours and engage in fun STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities focused on the successful construction, operation, and maintenance of the ship.
 
 
 

Additional Opportunities & Resources

Learn about our Lesson Plan Library, Gravely Experience and Essay Contest, birthday parties, and more.

More Resources

Additional Opportunities & Resources

Schedule a Visit / Questions

Phone: 877-446-9261 ext. 706
Email:  groupsales@labattleship.com

Overnight Adventures: Camp Battleship

Sleep Where Sailors Lived. Lead Like They Did.

Looking for an epic and unforgettable experience? Bring your youth group for an overnight stay on the one and only Battleship IOWA.

Our Camp Battleship overnight encampment is a one-of-a-kind program designed to build leadership, teamwork, and connection through hands-on shipboard living. 

What to Expect
  • 🧭 Late afternoon muster and orientation introduces you to the ship

  • 🍽️ Dinner on the mess decks

  • 🌆 Unforgettable views of the busiest port in the western hemisphere

  • 🛏️ Sleep in actual berthing racks once used by sailors

  • 🎥 Optional entertainment or educational sessions

  • 🚢 A real understanding of what it's like to be a sailor in the US Navy

Popular with scouts, JROTC, YMCA, church, home school, and traveling groups, as well as campers, this overnight fosters purpose, pride, and camaraderie in an atmosphere that is unmatched.

Accommodates up to 180 participants per night.

📞 Questions or ready to reserve? Request a Reservation below, call 877-446-9261 x706, or email overnights@labattleship.com

What is the maximum capacity per camping experience?

We have berthing to accomodate up to 180-people safely and comfortably.

How much is the deposit?

A non-refundable deposit of $270 is needed two (2) weeks after booking to secure your reservation.

Are meals provided?

We provide a catered dinner on the evening of arrival and a catered breakfast the following morning of your experience.

Is parking both short-term and long-term parking available?

Yes.  We share the parking lot with the Los Angeles World Cruise Terminal and parking is available adjacent to Battleship IOWA.  Parking is available for an hourly and daily cost. Click here for more information.

Are you in walking distance to the San Pedro Downtown Harbor?

Yes.  We are a short walk to the San Pedro Downtown Harbor, making Battleship IOWA the perfect location to stay before your departure to the Catalina camps.

What is the duration of the program?

A full refund will be issued for the following: The Pacific Battleship Center cancels in the event that the minimum number of participants (25) is not met or inclement weather causes hazardous conditions. No refunds will be issued if a group chooses to cancel their booked visit.

The Pacific Battleship Center cannot be held responsible for any inconveniences or consequences that may arise from the cancellation of a group’s visit in the event of an emergency as determined by the Pacific Battleship Center, government officials, or any other entity authorized to advise on emergency situations, including, but not limited to, any situation that could affect the safety of any guest on Pacific Battleship Center property or any other circumstances beyond the control of Pacific Battleship Center that would limit access to or use of the facility.

Resources & Updates

PROGRAM UPDATES

Battleship IOWA STEM Adventure Summer Camp Scholarship Application/Waitlist 2026

Battleship IOWA STEM Adventure Summer Camp scholarship application

Battleship IOWA STEM Adventure Camp Registration Form

Summer camp registration form

FLASH SALE – Camp Battleship

Sleep aboard a legendary battleship for one unforgettable night. This limited-time flash sale offers discounted spots for Camp Battleship. Dates and availability vary....

Gravely Experience

AN AFTERNOON TO REMEMBER In 1962 Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. became the first African American to take command of a U.S. Navy combatant ship. He continued to...

Gravely Essay Contest

Attention 11th Grade Students You are eligible to participate in our annual Gravely Experience Scholarship Contest. Students with winning submissions could receive a...

Birthday Parties Aboard IOWA

Join Vicky, the ship’s furry crew member, for an unforgettable birthday adventure aboard Battleship IOWA! Party packages include tours, games, lunch, and more—fun for...

Lesson Plan: Weather Prediction Activity

Weather prediction Activity Objective: Students will be introduced to antique techniques mariners used to predict weather while at sea. Students will observe most of...

Lesson Plan: Mini Water Cycle Activity

Mini Water Cycle Activity Objective: Students will learn how thermal energy is transferred and how this transfer of energy establishes and drives the water cycle....

Lesson Plan: A Battleship’s Vocabulary

A Battleship’s Vocabulary The language used to describe parts of a large Naval ship can be difficult to learn. Using some sort of topic information as chosen by the...

Lesson Plan: The Story of Victory the Dog

The Story of Victory the Dog Learn how to write a professional letter using the real story of the USS Iowa’s ship’s dog. Grades: 4-6 Disciplines: Reading, Social...

Lesson Plan: Where in the World?

Where in the World? This lesson teaches the concepts of latitude and longitude with relation to the globe. Grades: 4-6 Disciplines: Geography, Math Download Lesson...

Lesson Plan: Where in the World War?

Where in the World War? As an introduction to World War II in the Pacific, students will use classroom reference materials to learn the basic geography of the Pacific...

Lesson Plan: World War II Vocabulary

World War II Vocabulary This is a game that teaches political concepts and language that have their origins in World War II. Grades: 4-8 Disciplines: Reading, Social...

Lesson Plan: Buoyant Boats

Buoyant Boats Discover the most effective boat designs by designing and building your own boat! Grades: 4 Disciplines: Science Download Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Chronicles of Courage: The Doolittle Raid

Chronicles of Courage: The Doolittle Raid Only months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, famed pilot James Doolittle leads a top-secret mission to bomb Japan....

Lesson Plan: Chronicles of Courage: Pearl Harbor

Chronicles of Courage: Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launches a surprise attack on the U.S. military stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Stuart...

Lesson Plan: Leaders and countries involved in World War II

Leaders and countries involved in World War II Basic introductory presentation of leaders and countries involved in WWII used with Elementary class. Includes maps;...

Lesson Plan: Periodic Table Battleship

Periodic Table Battleship Players take turns calling out a period number and a group number on the periodic table of the elements to try and guess the location of their...

Lesson Plan: Float a Boat

Float a Boat Students draw upon their understanding of buoyancy and density, as well as potential and kinetic energy, to design and build a floating vessel with its own...

Lesson Plan: 24 Hours in a Day

24 Hours in a Day A lesson plan to teach military time using a 24-hour clock. Grades: 8 Disciplines: Math MilitaryTime

Lesson Plan: Civilian & Military Time Conversion

Civilian & Military Time Conversion Time arriving and time departing from checkpoints on the Iditarod Trail is reported in military time. Students can understand...

Lesson Plan: What time is it?

What time is it? Students will demonstrate an understanding of latitude and longitude by identifying locations by degrees. Students will learn and use the meanings of...

Lesson Plan: Gravity and Tides

Gravity and Tides This kinesthetic learning activity will help students learn about the Earth’s tides by acting them out. Students will learn about the gravitational...

Lesson Plan: Where Does All The Water Go?

Where Does All The Water Go? Students will aim to complete a project investigating and researching tides. Each student should seek to develop an understanding of what...

Lesson Plan: The Ocean in Motion

The Ocean in Motion Students will use a simple model to investigate the Coriolis Effect – that is, the curving of motion caused by the Earth’s rotation. In the...

Lesson Plan: True North, Magnetic North

True North, Magnetic North Many centuries ago, mariners oriented themselves by the sun's place or rising and setting, or by the direction of the prevailing winds. This...

Lesson Plan: Google Earth Time Zones

Google Earth Time Zones Are there differences in the time of day depending on where you are? Could it be 12 o'clock midnight in one country and 12 o'clock at noon in...

Lesson Plan: Waves

Waves Students measure wavelength and height of different waves to ascertain which one has the highest pitch/is the loudest etc. Grades: 6-8 Disciplines: Science...

Lesson Plan: Dropping the Atomic Bomb: Right or Wrong?

Dropping the Atomic Bomb: Right or Wrong? This is a four lesson activity on the decision of the United States to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. It finishes with a...

Lesson Plan: How does war affect individuals and societies?

In this module, students will study Japanese-American relations during WWII. They will consider the question “How does war affect individuals and societies?” as they...

Lesson Plan: Heroism in Internment Camps

Students will learn about internment camps during World War II. Students will respond and reflect on heroic characteristics by participating in a meaningful...

Lesson Plan: Women at war – the changing role of women in WW2

Women at war - the changing role of women in WW2 Can be linked to International Women's Day. It is a look at the way war affected women during the second world war and...

Lesson Plan: Simple as a Piece of Pi

Simple as a Piece of Pi In this lesson plan, students will use data on the circumference and diameter of various objects to calculate pi. The exciting aspect of this...

Lesson Plan: Under Pressure

Under Pressure The history of naval communication relies heavily on the non-verbal and multi-sensory. Stripes or stars on an officer’s uniform automatically dictated an...

Lesson Plan: A Dot and Dash, a Ping and a Flash

A Dot and Dash, a Ping and a Flash The history of naval communication relies heavily on the non-verbal and multi-sensory. Stripes or stars on an officer’s uniform...

Lesson Plan: How to Be a Great Navigator

How to Be a Great Navigator Description: Students explore historical navigation methods including dead reckoning and celestial navigation. Activities include using...

Lesson Plan: Cook For a Submarine Fleet

Cook For a Submarine Fleet Description: In this math-based activity, students calculate food supply needs for different submarine deployments. They apply proportional...

Lesson Plan: Christmas Dinner 1944

Christmas Dinner 1944 Description: Through math problems, students calculate the quantity of food needed to serve a 1944-style holiday dinner aboard a battleship. Tasks...

Lesson Plan: As American as Apple Pie

As American as Apple Pie Description: Students use ratio and proportion skills to scale a 1940s apple pie recipe to feed the entire crew aboard the Battleship Iowa —...

Lesson Plan: Are We There Yet?

Are We There Yet? Description: Students practice identifying countries using latitude and longitude coordinates, helping to reinforce geographic knowledge and spatial...

Lesson Plan: Across the Pole

Across the Pole Description: Students calculate speed, distance, and time to recreate a historic voyage of the USS Nautilus across the North Pole using real navigation...

Lession: I Sunk Your Battleship!

I Sunk Your Battleship! Description: A coordinate plane plotting activity styled after the classic Battleship game. Students reinforce skills in graphing points,...

Lesson: Thermohaline Circulation Activity

Thermohaline Circulation Activity Description: Students investigate how temperature and salinity influence ocean water density and drive deep-sea currents. Through...

Lesson: Letters Home

Letters Home Through writing “Victory Mail” (V-Mail) and role play, students learn how members of the military communicated with their family at home. Grades: 4,5,6,7,8...

Lesson: Cold War Slang

Cold War Slang Become familiar with Navy jargon and procedures, and learn about the Cold War through the eyes of a sailor. Practice creative writing utilizing Cold War...

STEM Adventure Summer Camp

Battleship IOWA is once again hosting our STEM Adventure Camp this summer! Thanks to funding provided by the Crail-Johnson Foundation, children from moderate to...

USS IOWA Education Programs Leverage Historic Battleship to Bring STEM Lessons to Life

SAN PEDRO, Calif., July 26, 2023 – Battleship USS IOWA Museum, a top five museum and attraction in the Los Angeles area and future home of the National Museum of the...

USS Iowa San Pedro Fun Educational Day Trip

02/23/2018 by DayTrippen The Battleship USS Iowa is docked berth 87 Port of Los Angeles. Open daily for tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and...

Battleship IOWA Museum receives education grant during Black History Month Youth Luncheon

February 25th, 2020  |  The Daily Breeze https://www.dailybreeze.com/battleship-iowa-museum-receives-education-grant-during-black-history-month-youth-luncheon

San Pedro’s Battleship IOWA Museum now offers educational Gun Tour, with a closer look at Turret No. 1

December 12, 2019 | The Daily Breeze https://www.dailybreeze.com/san-pedros-battleship-iowa-museum-now-offers-educational-gun-tour-with-a-closer-look-at-turret-no-1

LESSON PLANS

Lesson Plan: Weather Prediction Activity

Weather prediction Activity Objective: Students will be introduced to antique techniques mariners used to predict weather while at sea. Students will observe most of...

Lesson Plan: Mini Water Cycle Activity

Mini Water Cycle Activity Objective: Students will learn how thermal energy is transferred and how this transfer of energy establishes and drives the water cycle....

Lesson Plan: A Battleship’s Vocabulary

A Battleship’s Vocabulary The language used to describe parts of a large Naval ship can be difficult to learn. Using some sort of topic information as chosen by the...

Lesson Plan: The Story of Victory the Dog

The Story of Victory the Dog Learn how to write a professional letter using the real story of the USS Iowa’s ship’s dog. Grades: 4-6 Disciplines: Reading, Social...

Lesson Plan: Where in the World?

Where in the World? This lesson teaches the concepts of latitude and longitude with relation to the globe. Grades: 4-6 Disciplines: Geography, Math Download Lesson...

Lesson Plan: Where in the World War?

Where in the World War? As an introduction to World War II in the Pacific, students will use classroom reference materials to learn the basic geography of the Pacific...

Lesson Plan: World War II Vocabulary

World War II Vocabulary This is a game that teaches political concepts and language that have their origins in World War II. Grades: 4-8 Disciplines: Reading, Social...

Lesson Plan: Buoyant Boats

Buoyant Boats Discover the most effective boat designs by designing and building your own boat! Grades: 4 Disciplines: Science Download Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Chronicles of Courage: The Doolittle Raid

Chronicles of Courage: The Doolittle Raid Only months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, famed pilot James Doolittle leads a top-secret mission to bomb Japan....

Lesson Plan: Chronicles of Courage: Pearl Harbor

Chronicles of Courage: Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launches a surprise attack on the U.S. military stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Stuart...

Lesson Plan: Leaders and countries involved in World War II

Leaders and countries involved in World War II Basic introductory presentation of leaders and countries involved in WWII used with Elementary class. Includes maps;...

Lesson Plan: Periodic Table Battleship

Periodic Table Battleship Players take turns calling out a period number and a group number on the periodic table of the elements to try and guess the location of their...

Lesson Plan: Float a Boat

Float a Boat Students draw upon their understanding of buoyancy and density, as well as potential and kinetic energy, to design and build a floating vessel with its own...

Lesson Plan: 24 Hours in a Day

24 Hours in a Day A lesson plan to teach military time using a 24-hour clock. Grades: 8 Disciplines: Math MilitaryTime

Lesson Plan: Civilian & Military Time Conversion

Civilian & Military Time Conversion Time arriving and time departing from checkpoints on the Iditarod Trail is reported in military time. Students can understand...

Lesson Plan: What time is it?

What time is it? Students will demonstrate an understanding of latitude and longitude by identifying locations by degrees. Students will learn and use the meanings of...

Lesson Plan: Gravity and Tides

Gravity and Tides This kinesthetic learning activity will help students learn about the Earth’s tides by acting them out. Students will learn about the gravitational...

Lesson Plan: Where Does All The Water Go?

Where Does All The Water Go? Students will aim to complete a project investigating and researching tides. Each student should seek to develop an understanding of what...

Lesson Plan: The Ocean in Motion

The Ocean in Motion Students will use a simple model to investigate the Coriolis Effect – that is, the curving of motion caused by the Earth’s rotation. In the...

Lesson Plan: True North, Magnetic North

True North, Magnetic North Many centuries ago, mariners oriented themselves by the sun's place or rising and setting, or by the direction of the prevailing winds. This...

Lesson Plan: Google Earth Time Zones

Google Earth Time Zones Are there differences in the time of day depending on where you are? Could it be 12 o'clock midnight in one country and 12 o'clock at noon in...

Lesson Plan: Waves

Waves Students measure wavelength and height of different waves to ascertain which one has the highest pitch/is the loudest etc. Grades: 6-8 Disciplines: Science...

Lesson Plan: Dropping the Atomic Bomb: Right or Wrong?

Dropping the Atomic Bomb: Right or Wrong? This is a four lesson activity on the decision of the United States to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. It finishes with a...

Lesson Plan: How does war affect individuals and societies?

In this module, students will study Japanese-American relations during WWII. They will consider the question “How does war affect individuals and societies?” as they...

Lesson Plan: Heroism in Internment Camps

Students will learn about internment camps during World War II. Students will respond and reflect on heroic characteristics by participating in a meaningful...

Lesson Plan: Women at war – the changing role of women in WW2

Women at war - the changing role of women in WW2 Can be linked to International Women's Day. It is a look at the way war affected women during the second world war and...

Lesson Plan: Simple as a Piece of Pi

Simple as a Piece of Pi In this lesson plan, students will use data on the circumference and diameter of various objects to calculate pi. The exciting aspect of this...

Lesson Plan: Under Pressure

Under Pressure The history of naval communication relies heavily on the non-verbal and multi-sensory. Stripes or stars on an officer’s uniform automatically dictated an...

Lesson Plan: A Dot and Dash, a Ping and a Flash

A Dot and Dash, a Ping and a Flash The history of naval communication relies heavily on the non-verbal and multi-sensory. Stripes or stars on an officer’s uniform...

Lesson Plan: How to Be a Great Navigator

How to Be a Great Navigator Description: Students explore historical navigation methods including dead reckoning and celestial navigation. Activities include using...

Lesson Plan: Cook For a Submarine Fleet

Cook For a Submarine Fleet Description: In this math-based activity, students calculate food supply needs for different submarine deployments. They apply proportional...

Lesson Plan: Christmas Dinner 1944

Christmas Dinner 1944 Description: Through math problems, students calculate the quantity of food needed to serve a 1944-style holiday dinner aboard a battleship. Tasks...

Lesson Plan: As American as Apple Pie

As American as Apple Pie Description: Students use ratio and proportion skills to scale a 1940s apple pie recipe to feed the entire crew aboard the Battleship Iowa —...

Lesson Plan: Are We There Yet?

Are We There Yet? Description: Students practice identifying countries using latitude and longitude coordinates, helping to reinforce geographic knowledge and spatial...

Lesson Plan: Across the Pole

Across the Pole Description: Students calculate speed, distance, and time to recreate a historic voyage of the USS Nautilus across the North Pole using real navigation...

Lession: I Sunk Your Battleship!

I Sunk Your Battleship! Description: A coordinate plane plotting activity styled after the classic Battleship game. Students reinforce skills in graphing points,...

Lesson: Thermohaline Circulation Activity

Thermohaline Circulation Activity Description: Students investigate how temperature and salinity influence ocean water density and drive deep-sea currents. Through...

Lesson: Letters Home

Letters Home Through writing “Victory Mail” (V-Mail) and role play, students learn how members of the military communicated with their family at home. Grades: 4,5,6,7,8...

Lesson: Cold War Slang

Cold War Slang Become familiar with Navy jargon and procedures, and learn about the Cold War through the eyes of a sailor. Practice creative writing utilizing Cold War...

Battleship IOWA Fuel Consumption Lesson

Battleship IOWA Museum's education team has released another cool virtual lesson for students, parents, and teachers. Are you curious How much fuel a battleship uses in...

Battleship IOWA Virtual Conversion Project

Inspired by the arrival of USNS Mercy, our education team got together with LAUSD’s Office of Outdoor and Environmental Education to create another amazing virtual...

Battleship Word Search

Students, parents, and teachers! Looking for more fun educational resources? Battleship IOWA Museum's education department is busy prepping new content, but in the...

IOWA HISTORY

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...

Today’s Historical Encounter

WWII Gunnery Lieutenant's Family Visits His Old ShipPhoto from Holtzman familyBattleship IOWA historian/curator Dave Way gets to have some fun conversations. On a...

Happy 83rd Birthday, IOWA!

February 22, 2026 marks the 83rd anniversary of BB-61's original commissioning. To commemorate the occasion, Battleship IOWA's historian/curator Dave Way dug into his...

“Oh Those Float Planes…”

Excerpt from IOWA’s deck log: “Oh, those float planes”

Headlines from the End of World War II

Memories on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II

Escape the Fleet

Explore rarely-exposed areas of a World War II battleship as you gather the intel needed to...Escape The Mothball FleetGet ready for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime...

US Navy: Stewards of the Sea

Stewards of the Sea: Defending Freedom, Protecting the EnvironmentIntroducing the first interactive exhibit to be installed aboard the historic USS IOWA. This new...

What USS Iowa Means to the 1989 Crew

Reflections from CIO David CanfieldRemembering And Returning   As a nineteen-year-old, Battleship IOWA Vice President and Chief Information/Technology Officer...

Diplomats & Admirals: Fascinating WWII Facts From Author Dale Jenkins

Author Dale Jenkins releases his new book “Diplomats and Admirals” aboard IOWA

Finding Treasures: How Missing Pieces Return To The Ship

Battleship IOWA has an uncanny knack for attracting historical treasures of all shapes, sizes, and several eras. From a guest book signed by FDR and his war cabinet to...

No Higher Honor: RADM Sam Cox, USN (Ret.) on the Battle Off Samar

Every so often, an event of truly epic proportions becomes the stuff of legend. The engagement off Samar during the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf on Oct. 25, 1944 is such...

Dave Way & Jim Kurrasch: A Curatorial Conversation Part II – “Artifact #1”

The second half of our conversation with Dave Way (Battleship IOWA historian and curator) and Jim Kurrasch centers on "Artifact Number 1" - which is the ship...

Dave Way & Jim Kurrasch: A Curatorial Conversation (Part I)

Battleship IOWA is home to thousands of artifacts.  From the ship herself to a chair from NAGATO - the last Japanese battleship, from physical objects to digital...

Dave Badgett & Kent Coble: Fire Chiefs Remember 9/11 Twenty-One Years Later

Battleship IOWA volunteers Dave Badgett and Kent Coble are retired fire chiefs - Dave finished his career as an assistant chief in charge of training with LA City Fire...

Carl Herzog: Public Historian for USS CONSTITUTION Museum

With the 210th anniversary of the infamous battle between the US Navy's venerable grande dame, USS CONSTITUTION, and HMS GUERRIERE coming up on August 19, we thought it...

Tales From The Ghost Fleet And Other Memories Part III

In the final installment of our series from our 10th anniversary panel, our team discusses how the state of Iowa came through with some critical funding just in time,...

Tales From The Ghost Fleet And Other Memories Part II

We're back with Part II of our ten year retrospective panel, and this section is a lot of fun. CEO Jonathan Williams, COO Mike Getscher, and CIO David Canfield told...

Tales From The Ghost Fleet And Other Memories Part I

July 2022 marks ten years since Battleship IOWA opened to the public as a museum in the Port of Los Angeles. We've come a long way in a decade, and we thought it would...

Author Dale A. Jenkins: A Tin Can Sailor Talks WWII Diplomacy And Its Continuing Legacy

This week's guest is Dale A. Jenkins, author of the soon-to-be-released book Diplomats And Admirals. With a background in foreign relations, this former "tin can"...

Homecoming: 1980s Crew Members Return To Battleship IOWA

If you've been following this podcast, you know that April 19 is an important date for our organization. It is our time to celebrate the lives of 47 sailors lost on...

Surface Navy Heroes

Surface Navy Heroes Diversity, Leadership, and Bravery. View our first exhibit for the National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA online and in-person. ...

This Date In USS IOWA History: 30 August, 1945

USS IOWA follows sister ship USS MISSOURI into Tokyo Bay, 29 Aug 1945 We continue to follow USS Iowa through 1945, moving toward the 75th commemoration of the signing...

Battleship IOWA Tours: You Never Know Who You’ll Meet

Battleship IOWA is full of inspiring surprises. When our tour guides arrive to the ship every morning, they never know who they'll encounter during the day. And while...

101 Things to Do Los Angeles – Battleship USS IOWA Museum

San Pedro’s Battleship IOWA Museum now offers educational Gun Tour, with a closer look at Turret No. 1

December 12, 2019 | The Daily Breeze https://www.dailybreeze.com/san-pedros-battleship-iowa-museum-now-offers-educational-gun-tour-with-a-closer-look-at-turret-no-1

Why Battleship IOWA Matters

Why Battleship IOWA Matters by James E. Sefton, Professor of History, California State University Northridge Upon America’s entry into World War II, the west coast...

All Aboard the USS IOWA

Southern California has a hidden, historical gem unlike any other, located in the coastal city of San Pedro. Potentially overlooked by many Californians, San Pedro is...

Explore some of LA’s popular veteran-owned businesses

Come aboard the USS Iowa in the port of Los Angeles and see for yourself the only battleship on display in the continental west coast! This museum memorial attraction...

11 Must-Visit Museums in California by Culture Trip

This exquisite place of American history is a maritime museum located at the Port of Los Angeles. USS Iowa Museum is a great place for anyone interested in American...

Rare Chance: Spend the Night on the USS Iowa

The USS Iowa, sometimes called “Battleship of Presidents,” was on the move for much of its existence, serving in World War II in addition to the Korean War...

The 10 Best Historic Sites to Visit in L.A.

Los Angeles is a city rich in culture and history. From early settlements to architecture and the birth of Hollywood and the film industry, L.A. is home to some of the...

Cool Off on a Hot Battleship: The Battleship Iowa in Long Beach

Battleships, once thought to be the ultimate weapon, are now a relic of the past. For a chance to visit this past – and enjoy 360-degree breeze-swept views of Los...

‘Man, this is not a drill,’ survivor remembers Pearl Harbor attack

Seventy-four years ago, Howard Bender, 93, was aboard the USS Maryland in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when he heard the sounds of war. “I remember it all,” the Laguna...

Aboard the USS Iowa searching for a charming mutt named Vicky

This mighty battleship, commissioned in the midst of World War II, ferried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic Ocean and back, fought in the Pacific,...

USS Iowa in San Pedro hosts last black survivor of Pearl Harbor attack

The attack at Pearl Harbor sent flames flying all around the USS Jarvis as it bobbed alongside a dock in the shadow of a large warehouse, undamaged by the barrage of...

Pearl Harbor survivors join salute at USS Iowa commemoration

When the Imperial Japanese Navy made a surprise aerial attack on U.S. Navy vessels in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Howard Bender swung into action, directing...

Rare photo found of elevator added to battleship Iowa for FDR

A rare photograph has surfaced apparently showing an elevator added to the battleship Iowa, one of a handful of adaptations made to the vessel for wheelchair-user...

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National Museum of the Surface Navy Plank Owner certificate

Why did the dad bring an extra pair of socks golfing?

In case he got a hole in one.

⚓🧔🔥  Bring your best "dad jokes" and your dad and join us aboard Battleship IOWA Sunday, June 21 for our

Father's Day STEEL BEACH BARBECUE!

Tickets include general admission, classic steel beach barbecue buffet, drinks, VIP swag, and more... Hit up the button below for details and to purchase tickets.