Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis (must see)

The Naval Academy Museum is located inside Preble Hall at the United States Naval Academy. It was founded in 1845 to help educate midshipmen by collecting objects related to naval history and life at sea. Over time the collection grew and became one of the most important naval history museums in the United States. Today it is open to visitors who want to learn more about ships, naval exploration, and the development of the U.S. Navy.

One of the main highlights is the large collection of ship models. Some models date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and were once used by European navies to study ship design. A well-known part of the museum is the Rogers Collection, which includes about 108 detailed ship models. These models show how ships changed over time, from wooden sailing vessels to modern naval ships.

The museum also has exhibits about important moments in naval history. Displays explain events such as early ocean exploration, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the world wars. Visitors can see uniforms, navigation tools, weapons, paintings, and objects connected with sailors and naval missions. Another section focuses on the history of the Naval Academy and how officers have been trained there.

The museum also displays the Beverley R. Robinson Collection of naval prints and paintings, one of the largest collections of its kind. Many artworks show sea battles, voyages, and everyday life on ships. Together with the ship models and historical objects, these exhibits help visitors understand how naval technology and life at sea have changed over the centuries.