New Life For Navy History

Naval Academy Museum Is Reopened After An $11.6 Million Makeover

"If I never leave this building. ... I will live a long, long time," said Harmon with a laugh.

Each object on display holds a direct link to the Navy's history, Harmon said. The "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag that flew over the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813 is preserved in a glass case on the first floor. For years the flag hung exposed to the elements inside one of the buildings on campus.

One collection of model ships was built by French prisoners of war during the Anglo-French wars, which started in the mid-1700s and lasted until 1815. The prisoners built the model ships from the bones left over from food rations in prison.

The renovations have renewed an interest in the museum, according to Capt. Dan Truax, a volunteer at the museum who works at the front desk every Thursday. The academy announced they were looking for new volunteers, he said, and "30 people showed up."

If you go

The U.S. Naval Academy Museum is located on the grounds of the Naval Academy in Annapolis. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 410-293-2108 for more information.