National Museum of the American Sailor

03/03/2025

02/27/2025

Planning on being in Great Lakes Friday morning? Well, make sure you stop by the National Museum of the American Sailor for our next installment of our Sea Stories series from 10:00am-12:00pm.

Haven’t heard of Sea Stories? Sailors are known for their elaborate stories from their travels around the world. Now is your chance to hear those stories straight from the horse's (err goat's?) mouth.

Every other Friday, Navy veterans are on duty to share their stories with you. Ask them about their bootcamp days, their favorite ports, the food; the possibilities are endless!

02/25/2025

It's National Clam Chowder Day and what better way to celebrate than with a throwback to the Naval History and Heritage Command's "Cooking with History" video series from 2020.

Follow along as historian, Tom Frezza, recreates a creamy Boston Style Clam Chowder from the 1945 edition of the "Cookbook of the U.S. Navy." No worries if you're not equipped with the larger industrial steam kettles you'd find aboard a ship - this recipe has been scaled down to a more manageable version!

https://bit.ly/3ghJ8Ge

Break out the oyster crackers and let's get cooking!

Naval History & Heritage Command takes us into the History Galley with another recipe from the 1945 edition of the Cookbook of the US Navy. With the large steam kettles in the galley, cooks could whip up larges batches of this clam chowder to feed the whole crew. Follow along and learn how to make t...

02/22/2025

In the U.S. Navy’s earliest years, there was no organized recreation for Sailors onboard ship or when they went ashore. After they worked long hours aboard ship, off-duty Sailors treasured their leisure time and games such as dominos and checkers helped pass the time.

Late last year, the National Museum of the American Sailor recently acquired a set of c. 1863 dominos courtesy of the Colonial Dames of American and Navy League of the United States, Lake County Council. Stop by today and see them on display in our Sails Unfurled: The Dawn of the U.S. Navy exhibit!

02/21/2025

Wouldn’t you know? It’s time for another !

Featured in this image, courtesy of NMAS' Permanent Collection, is Company 17-49 from the Hospital Corps School stationed right here at Great Lakes. These Corpsman graduated on April 2, 1959 but we're curious - any of our followers remember attending Hospital Corps School here back in the day?

Share your experience in the comment section below!

02/20/2025

Calling Great Lakes families! Don’t forget to visit the National Museum of the American Sailor this afternoon from 1:30-3:30pm for your first taste of hands on history with our first “Drop Anchor” program! For kids, and kids at heart, these interactive activities teach sailor skills, including knot tying, navigation, and the all-important hardtack recipe. Participants make and take a project each program.

02/20/2025

Calling Great Lakes families! Don’t forget to visit the National Museum of the American Sailor tomorrow morning from 10:00am-12:00pm for some hands-on history with our “Drop Anchor” program!

For kids, and kids at heart, these interactive activities teach sailor skills, including knot tying, navigation, and the all-important hardtack recipe. Participants make and take a project each program.

02/18/2025

Looking for a way to get involved?

The National Museum of the American Sailor is looking for new volunteers to come aboard and help us tell the story of the U.S. Navy's enlisted Sailor! We have a wide variety of positions available to volunteers and ways for you to get involved. An added bonus? Volunteers can earn hours for awards like the MOVSM (Active Duty only) or the Presidential Service Award!

We only ask that you commit to at least 4 hours per month for a minimum of 3 months. Morning, afternoon, and weekend shifts are available so follow the link below to find out how you can get involved today!

https://bit.ly/4fFvIxG

02/17/2025

Observed as a Federal holiday on the third Monday each February, President’s Day celebrates the birthday of George Washington (his actual birthday February 22nd) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12th), but has since shifted to now honor the U.S. Presidents more generally.

Although neither Washington nor Lincoln officially served in the U.S. Navy, the role as United States President means they are the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces, including the Navy. Both Lincoln and Washington also have the honor of having multiple ships named after them!

The National Museum of the American Sailor will be closed today, Monday, February 17, 2025 in observation of this holiday and will reopen during normal business hours on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

02/14/2025

It's Valentine's Day! A day filled with laughs, smiles, and maybe some crafting if you're feeling adventurous. Take LS2 Lee and LS1 Gutierrez for example! These two can be seen making Valentine’s Day cards on the mess decks aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) during a morale, welfare and recreation event, Jan. 19, 2025. According to the description on DVIDS, the Carrier Strike Group ONE is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

02/12/2025

The National Museum of the American Sailor will be closing at 1400 (2:00pm) due to the inclement weather. We’re anticipating normal operating hours tomorrow, Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Stay safe out there Facebook followers!