USS Monitor turret unavailable for viewing until October 1, 2005 due to construction of USS Monitor Center
The iconic revolving gun turret from the USS Monitor, which is currently unavailable for public viewing, can be seen beginning October 1, 2005 only during daily, 3:30 p.m. docent-led hardhat tours. Visitors are asked to place their name on a sign-up sheet upon entering the Museum and to wear sensible shoes for the tour. The turret has been removed from fulltime viewing due to the construction of the $30 million USS Monitor Center. We apologize, but welcome you to view the two XI-inch Dahlgren cannon recovered from the turret as they undergo conservation, as well as view the special exhibition Ironclad Evidence featuring artifacts, documents, paintings, and stories from the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia.
Marking the 145th anniversary of the historic clash between the Civil War ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, The Mariners’ Museum and its partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will open the doors to one of the premier Civil War attractions across the nation—the USS Monitor Center.
On March 9, 2007, exactly 145 years after the historic clash between the Civil War ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, The Mariners’ Museum and its partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will open the doors to one of the premier Civil War attractions across the nation—the USS Monitor Center.
This dramatic new $30 million, 63,500-square-foot facility will
enthrall families with exciting exhibits, bring students face-to-face
with history, house state-of-the-art conservation labs, offer
historians rich resources for research, and provide a full-scale
replica of the Monitor for visitors to experience. See each section of
the Monitor replica as it’s built by our partners at Northrop Grumman Newport News by clicking here.
Visitors walk along a recreated gun deck of a classic wooden warship where they learn about technological advances in naval warfare and design that led them to the creation of the first true ironclad warships.
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The darkened battle theater will offer a multimedia experience presenting the attack on the union fleet by the CSS Virginia on march 8, 1862, and concludes with the dramatic first battle of the ironclads on March 9th.
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Concept sketch of the large artifact gallery of the USS Monitor Center where the engine, guns and turret will be housed following conservation.
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The new USS Monitor Center will be the definitive national authority and repository for the original recovered artifacts, and for all other materials, research and programming related to the history of the famous Civil War ironclad warship that revolutionized naval warfare. The Center will also tell the story of the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia.
Come aboard the Monitor... Smell the gunpowder. Feel the excitement of being responsible for the most revolutionary piece of military weaponry of the day. Experience what it was like to do something no one had ever done before: guide tons of metal through an armada of wooden ships that cannot hope to compete with your might!
View of The Mariners’ Museum with the USS Monitor Center, a 40,000 sq. ft. wing with exhibition and conservation facilities, on the north side of the present museum.
