By: Jonathan Williams, President & CEO of the National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-williams-46a3663a/

Museum Update

We are just 12 months away from opening Phase 1 of the National Museum of the Surface Navy aboard Battleship IOWA. Mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of your museum and a special Freedom of the Seas Awards event, celebrating the 250th birthday of the Navy. Make sure to sign up as a museum Plank Owner at SurfaceNavyMuseum.org to receive updates and stay informed about our progress as we approach the big day.

The team has started the careful preparation of the infrastructure needed to install the showcases in Phase 1. This experience will take guests on a journey into the life of a Surface Navy sailor. Packed with STEM activities and thought-provoking displays, the museum expertly balances tradition with next-generation innovation. It builds on our success of providing touchpoints for youth and adults alike to explore careers in the Navy and maritime industry.

The Surface Navy Museum Ambassadors have been actively engaging with individuals and industry leaders to highlight the museum’s significance and opportunities for involvement. Recently, they announced the ship sponsorship opportunity for the Great Ships showcase. The deep passion sailors have for their ships is evident in the enthusiastic support for the various vessels that will grace the wall. This is just one of the many ways to get involved, and we encourage you to reach out with any questions.

As I write this, we are nearing the 2024 Freedom of the Seas Awards weekend, which this year will celebrate 30 years of women serving aboard surface combatants, include a program highlighting the challenges in the Red Sea, and award numerous scholarships to deserving students. The dinner will honor four distinguished award winners: retired Master Chief Octavia Harris, philanthropist Lisa Argyros, ILWU, and the sailors at the forefront in the Red Sea. Our blockbuster lineup of speakers includes VADM John F. G. Wade, RDML Philip Sobeck, Tim Lenderking, retired Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien, Stephanie C. Hill, H. Delano Roosevelt, and our emcees, retired RADM Mike Shatynski and FLTCM JoAnn Ortloff. We are deeply appreciative to our sponsors that make this event possible with a special shout out to Marathon Petroleum, UPS, Lockheed Martin, the Surface Navy Association, and retired CAPT Rick Easton.

Of course, these are not the only activities happening at your museum. The crew is working hard on numerous initiatives, from maintaining the Battleship IOWA hull and deck to welcoming thousands of kids for both daytime and overnight programs. Our vibrant Military & Veterans Affairs Department continues to grow, focusing on career connections, supportive services, and military services and ceremonies including most recently Chief pinning. Concurrently, we are in the design phase for the Freedom of the Seas park and pavilion, set to break ground in the first quarter of 2025. This development will expand our capacity to serve youth, veterans, and the community.

Thank you for your continued support and don’t forget to become a Plank Owner for free to stay up to date on all the happenings at your museum, the National Museum of the Surface Navy at Battleship IOWA.