Navy unveils National Museum of the American Sailor

The Great Lakes Naval Museum was officially renamed the National Museum of the American Sailor during a ceremony at the museum July 4.

The Navy’s top enlisted sailor, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens, was joined by retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command; North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham; Capt. James Hawkins, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes; Jennifer Searcy, director of the National Museum of the American Sailor; and representatives from the Great Lakes Naval Museum Foundation and National Museum of the American Sailor Foundation at the unveiling for the new sign in front of the museum.

“Dedicated to telling the story of anyone who has ever worn the Navy uniform, this building will do more than house history,” Cox said. “The National Museum of the American Sailor will stand as a place for sailors, Navy families and proud Americans to learn more about the Navy that serves them by using the history and experiences of our sailors as the basis for its exhibits.”

The National Museum of the American Sailor name change signals a shift in vision from a regional focus to one that depicts the diverse history of sailors who have served in the U.S. Navy. The name change also reflects the interest of museum visitors, many of whom travel from across the country to attend the basic training graduations at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command.

“What may appear as a simple name change to some, for me, marks a recommitment to my shipmates that as a navy, and as a nation, we honor the service and sacrifice of all American sailors,” Stevens said.

The museum features exhibits on life in Navy boot camp, naval uniforms and traditions, the history of Naval Station Great Lakes, the role of diversity in the Navy and the role of women in the Navy. Over the next two years, the museum will expand its exhibits to introduce visitors to the overall history and role of the U.S. Navy and the experiences of American sailors in the past and today.

“I am very excited for this new museum, and I welcome you all to visit,” Cox said. “Our nation’s history would not be the same if it were not for the millions of American sailors who have served in the U.S. Navy.”

The museum is in Building 42 just outside the perimeter of Naval Station Great Lakes. Building 42, known as Hostess House, was built in 1942 and served as a visitors and reception center for almost one million American sailors who came through Great Lakes during World War II.

The former Great Lakes Naval Museum was dedicated on Oct. 26, 1996, in Building 158 and opened to the public on Oct. 13, 1997. It became an official Navy museum in Building 42 in 2009, joining the Naval History and Heritage Command museum enterprise.

The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, ten museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navhist/.