EXHIBITS & TOURS
In-Person Experience
In-Person Exhibits
Online Tours & Museum
Online Exhibits
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Your safe visit to the Battleship USS Iowa museum is our utmost priority. We have implemented numerous measures for in-person tours that adhere to Los Angeles County public health guidelines. A few of the measures include:
- Limited capacity and physical distancing.
- Increased disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.
- Hand-sanitizer stations throughout the tour.
- Face coverings are required for all guests and crew.
- Non-essential personnel are working remotely.
- Daily temperature checks for all crew working onboard.
- Signage promoting social distancing and hand washing.
- New virtual options to experience the museum.
Surface Navy Museum
Planned to open in 2025 aboard Battleship USS Iowa. Become a Plank Owner today.
Ship's Store
Your purchase helps support museum programs.
Donate
Your donations are critical to the survival of the Battleship USS Iowa.
Learn the History
USS Iowa’s history began in 1943 and continues through today.
Volunteer
Volunteer to be a member of today’s Battleship USS Iowa crew.
GET INVOLVED
Battleship USS Iowa is a community platform leveraged for engaging and impactful programs. We focus our activities into three primary pillars; education, veterans, and community.
- Education programs and resources inspire future leaders.
- Veterans programs and resources empower those who served.
- Community programs and resources strengthen our community.
Support your favorite pillar today by donating or by becoming a volunteer.
The East Coast? Something about submarines? What is CEO Jonathan Williams up to? Hit up our Weekly Updates highlight to find out!
#battleshipiowa #surfacenavymuseum #nmsn #update
Continuing with our Freedom of the Seas award honoree highlights... Meet Admiral Michelle Howard - the recipient of our 2021 VADM Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. Award for leadership.
From becoming the first African-American woman to command a ship - USS RUSHMORE, to being the first African-American to achieve the two- and three-star ranks, to her promotion to admiral and subsequent appointment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Howard's thirty-five year naval career is a stellar example of trailblazing leadership.
Impressed? But wait. There's more! Click on the link in our bio to learn about Michelle Howard and to get tickets to the Freedom of the Seas.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #freedomoftheseas #history #trailblazer #leadership
Random entry in Battleship IOWA's timeline:
22 September 1943
Brickwork in Number 3 boiler started falling out.
So... That happened...
Curious about the ship's boilers and engine spaces? Take our ENGINEERING TOUR. Our guides will have you mesmerized for two hours and you'll still want more. (Link to website in bio.)
#randomhistory #SurfaceNavyMuseum #battleshipiowa #goodstory
We're overdue for a game of battleship hide and seek.
If you were hustling around IOWA's labyrinth of decks, where would you bump into this mural? (Lookin’ at you, 1980s crew!)
Think sailor art is cool? Want to see some in person? Take our Gun Tour or Engineering Tour (book on our website; link in bio) to check out some of the spaces where the ‘80s crew showed its creativity.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #Art #SailorArt #USNavy #1980s
More Freedom of the Seas gala news and a round up of the latest around Battleship IOWA. Get your weekly #update here! Link in the Weekly Updates story highlight.
#battleshipiowa #SurfaceNavyMuseum #eatatvickys #freedomoftheseas
Our inaugural Freedom of the Seas Awards Dinner is just over a month away - it’ll be held October 23rd. Time to introduce our amazing award recipients.
First up, Freedom of the Seas Award recipient and our keynote speaker, retired Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien.
An accomplished lawyer and experienced diplomat, Ambassador O’Brien served as the 28th U.S. National Security Advisor. In that role he brought a renewed focus to defense and industrial base issues, orchestrated the historic Abraham Accords in the Middle East, brokered economic normalization between Serbia and Kosovo, and achieved increased cooperation with America’s allies across the Indo-Pacific.
Prior to his service in the White House, Ambassador O’Brien worked at the State Department as the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. During his time at State, he coordinated the government’s diplomatic engagements on overseas hostage-related matters and successfully negotiated the return of over twenty hostages and wrongfully detained Americans.
To find out more about the Freedom of the Seas Awards Dinner and reserve your spot today visit the link in our bio. Both table sponsorships and individual tickets are available.
#SurfaceNavyMuseum #BattleshipIOWA #FOS #FreedomOfTheSeas
We love the role we get to play in this amazing community of ours. This morning we got to help the Class of ‘22 kick off their final year at @portoflosangeleshigh by hosting their Senior Breakfast on the fantail of the IOWA. Best of luck, POLA seniors, in the coming year and all your future endeavors!
Want to hold an event your senior class will remember for a lifetime? We offer great pricing and far more. For further information, visit link in our bio.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #Community #Events #LosAngeles #POLAHS
Kicking off the weekend with some cool news and a special discount. Link with this pic in our Weekly Updates highlight. 😎
#battleshipiowa #surfacenavymuseum #update #discount
Looks like word about @vickysdoghouse is getting out! @laweekly thinks you should come grab some eats. We couldn't agree more.
Swipe up on this photo in our News highlight for details.
Chill on our fantail with a dog and a drink (or a salad!) and enjoy the best view on the LA Waterfront with your family. Pro tip: ask for the chipotle mayo. We're already addicted.
#battleshipiowa #hotdog #SurfaceNavyMuseum #viewsfordays
When The Navy Calls To Give You A Battleship. Seems appropriate that Labor Day this year coincides with a significant date in our history. We're celebrating TEN YEARS since a whole lot of hard work paid off in a big way: on Sept. 6, 2011 at 11:30 AM, the US Navy awarded Battleship IOWA to Pacific Battleship Center.
To commemorate the occasion, we took CEO Jonathan Williams and COO Mike Getscher to a rarely-seen location deep within the ship for a heartfelt, gratitude-filled, and often humorous trip down memory lane, to share what they thought and felt on a date that changed lives.
As we move into the next phase of Battleship IOWA's journey of service, you can contribute to her story. Become a plank owner for the National Museum of the Surface Navy (it's free!) or donate. Links in bio.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #tenthanniversary #usnavy #dreamcometrue
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day! #BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #LaborDay
Sunday Funday!
Lieutenant Commander Randall Riewerts, executive officer (XO) of the new USS IOWA (SSN 797) stopped by for a visit yesterday and dropped off a cool gift: this 3D-printed builders model of his Virginia-class attack submarine.
Lt. Cmdr Riewerts presented the model to CEO Jonathan Williams, COO Mike Getscher, and CIO David Canfield in #BattleshipIOWA’s historic captain’s cabin, then toured the ship and grabbed a hot dog at Vicky’s with his family.
It’s a gorgeous day. Come on down and enjoy the ship with yours!
📸 credit Ben Jackel
#usnavy #SurfaceNavyMuseum
@battleshipiowaceo kicks off Labor Day with a tribute to his grandfather and some fun news about good food on our fantail!
Link in Weekly Updates story highlight.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #eatatvickys #WWII
76 years ago today - 1,365 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor - Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, officially ending World War II. The ceremony took place aboard our sister ship, USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay, with USS IOWA at anchor nearby facilitating communications for war correspondents.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #WWII #VJDay #History #Military #Museum #Veterans #USNavy
Battleship USS IOWA Museum: A Special Birthday. Today we commemorate the seventy-sixth anniversary of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender in Tokyo Bay and the official end of World War II... by bringing you an insider's glimpse of that event.
Don Fosberg was a radioman aboard our sister USS MISSOURI that day, and had a hand in history. How? Check out the video to find out. And join us in wishing Don a very happy 95th birthday!
Back to school, a casino night for veterans, and more in this week's Museum Update. Link in weekly updates story highlight.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum
79 years ago today on August 27th, 1942 the USS IOWA was launched from the New York Navy Yard, 7 months ahead of schedule. Launching just 3 years, 2 months, and 1 day after the keel was laid the "Mighty I" was built at a blistering pace with production especially ramping up after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Learn more about the IOWA's rich history by booking your tour today. Link in bio.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #History #WWII #Museum #Military #USNavy #LaunchingDay
Happy National Dog Day! Today we celebrate all of the awesome dogs out there. The "Mighty I" had a legendary dog of her own, Vicky. Belonging to the IOWA's first commanding officer, Captain John L. McCrea, Vicky was along for the ride during the ship's entire WWII service. He was loved by the crew and kept morale up during the hard times of war. Vicky even helped relieve some of the stress of the presidency as he kept FDR company on his cruise over to the Tehran Conference. Vicky would go on to see 6 years of Navy service and earn the rank of Mascot First Class. Today Vicky continues to serve as the IOWA's of#nationaldogday
Learn more about Vicky and the IOWA's rich history by booking your tour today. Link in bio.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #NationalDogDay
On this day in 1951, the USS IOWA was commissioned for a second time in San Francisco, California to head overseas to support the land forces in the Korean War. The IOWA and her crew would support troops on the ground with shore bombardments and earn the ship two battle stars. IOWA would remain active for seven years until December 1958, when she was decommissioned for the second time in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and stationed in the Atlantic Fleet Reserve.
Commemorate this special day by registering you and your loved ones for FREE as Plank Owners for the National Museum of the Surface Navy. Link in Bio.
#BattleshipIOWA #SurfaceNavyMuseum #KoreanWar #Museum #MuseumShip #DicoverLA #VisitCA
Thanks to the @portofla , we were able to welcome students ranging from 1st - 8th grade aboard over the summer for our STEM Adventure Camp. This in-person, COVID safe camp allowed students to reconnect with their peers while enriching their STEM knowledge, sharpening their critical thinking and problem solving skills, and allowing their creativity to shine. Some of the fun activities students were able to participate in included:
Making a marble run to model the movement of oxygen molecules to sailors below deck through the ventilation network. Experimenting with water density by stacking water based on temperature and salinity. Learning the basics of non-verbal communication aboard the ship - Morse code, semaphore, and signal flags. Discovering the optimal launch angle for their straw rockets. Investigating flight through paper airplanes and kites.
Thank you, Port of LA, for allowing us to offer this amazing experience to our community! Thank you to our campers for including Battleship IOWA in your summer adventures!
PROGRAM SPONSORS
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