NAVAL EXHIBITS

American Helicopter Museum
1220 American Boulevard, West Chester, PA 19380
www.helicoptermuseum.org
Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Over the Horizon: U.S. Navy & U.S. Marine Corp rotorcraft operations from 1931 to today (1 August 2025 to 9 November 2025): From the early days, of Autogiros, to the Tiltrotors of today, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, have been in the forefront of power projection over the horizon. Helicopters are vital in that role, from Anti-Submarine warfare to landing Marines on a beach head. The American Helicopter Museum will use its collection of Naval and Marine helicopters, supplemented by models, videos, and photos, to show the development of how the Helicopter is used in Naval Warfare. In keeping with the Museum’s theme of “Helicopters Save Lives”, we will also look at Naval and Marine Helicopter Aviators who have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor.

American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145
https://www.americanswedish.org/
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

And Let Victory Tell the Rest: 250 Years of Navy Shipbuilding in Greater Philadelphia (26 June 2025 – 4 January 2026): As one of the nation’s premier shipbuilding and repair regions in the world, the Greater Philadelphia region has built many ships for the United States Navy. From the early days of the Continental Navy during the American Revolution to the nuclear-powered warships of the Cold War, these facilities were a critical component of the Navy’s operations in defending America and its allies abroad. This exhibit showcases some of these ships, the people that helped build them, and their role in defending America. This exhibit is curated by the National Museum of the United States Navy.

Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum
1332-1202 State Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
www.andalusiapa.org
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Friday, with select Saturdays through November 14, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (check ahead before visiting)

Commodore James Biddle (31 March 2025 – 14 November 2025): Discover the naval adventures of Commodore James Biddle. As a midshipman aboard the USS Philadelphia, he was among the sailors captured during the First Barbary War and imprisoned for 19 months in Tripoli. In the War of 1812, he won recognition for his heroics aboard the USS Wasp and USS Hornet. Later, he sailed the world, including to China and Japan, and ran the U.S. Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, which housed the Naval Academy prior to its move to Annapolis.

Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103
https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Shipbuilding of the Delaware River (ongoing): Looks at ship building and repair on the Delaware River, and includes artifacts collected during the battleship’s 2024 drydocking.

Support Any Friend (Fall 2025 – ongoing): Created by the Naval History and Heritage Command, the exhibit is the history of the Navy communities (i.e. supply, aviation, special forces, surface warfare etc.) in the second half of the 20th century.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.hsp.org
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; Wednesday 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

“To Provide a Naval Armament:” U.S. Navy and Marine Corps History, 1775-1958 (8 October 2025 – 12 December 2025): Philadelphia gave birth to the U.S. Navy twice—first in 1775 and again in 1794. The later Navy reflected the young nation: ships designed by Quakers, built in shipyards along the East Coast with wood harvested by enslaved people, led by white officers, and crewed by a diverse mix of nationalities, ethnicities, and religions. The Marines of both eras laid the foundation for one of the world's elite fighting forces. While prominent Philadelphians appear in naval history, the story also lives in the letters and journals of sailors, surgeons, and shipyard workers. In partnership with Homecoming 250, "To Provide a Naval Armament:" U.S. Navy & Marine Corps History, 1775–1958 explores the Navy and Marine Corps through the Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s collections, tracing their evolution from the American Revolution to the early Cold War, all while remaining anchored in Philadelphia.

Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106
https://www.phillyseaport.org/
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Small but Mighty!: Models, Toys, and Miniature Ships
(ongoing): Comprised of nearly 50 rarely seen models, examples range from United States Navy vessels (like the USS Indianapolis) to Pond Yacht models to toy models that would have been sailed on the floor of large Victorian homes in the 19th century. Ship models, in addition to being known for their meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, bring out the child in all of us.

Patriots and Pirates (ongoing): Did you know that the United States Navy was founded right here in Philadelphia? It’s true! Learn about the debate that led to the establishment of the Navy, why it happened in Philadelphia, and more. Plus, climb aboard a replica model of the Schooner Diligence, a 1797 ship built by Joshua and Samuel Humphrey. This type of vessel would have significantly contributed to defending American merchant ships once the Navy was created.

Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 1910
www.librarycompany.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:45 pm

TBD

MARITIME EXHIBITS

African American Museum of Philadelphia
701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
https://www.aampmuseum.org/
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Discover our Exhibits and Collections! Wednesdays are for Group Tours ONLY and Thursday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Please note that our last tour starts at 4:00 pm.
Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sailing to Freedom: Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad (September 2025 – March 2025): An exhibition and accompanying event series that collectively expands our understanding of how African Americans have pursued life, liberty, and happiness in and outside of America. Enslaved African Americans escaping by sea via the maritime Underground Railroad is the focus of the “Sailing to Freedom” traveling exhibition, originally curated at the New Bedford Whaling Museum by Timothy Walker and Michael Dyer. At the heart of this exhibition is a portrait of John Swanson Jacobs, which has been in the AAMP’s collection since 1987. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, leading up to The United States’ own semiquincentennial, this exhibition will serve the urgent purpose of making visible the founding of this nation on two experiments at once: one in democracy, the other in tyranny.

Pennsylvania Hospital
800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19108
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/penn-medicine-locations/pennsylvania-hospital/historic-tours
Hours: By appointment.

From Wharf to Ward: Pennsylvania Hospital & Maritime Health, 1799 – 1830 (6 October 2025 – 20 November 2025): Looks at Pennsylvania Hospital’s role as the Marine Hospital for the Philadelphia area during the Early Republic, and the care of merchant seaman.