SAN DIEGO – Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) announced the 2023-2024 Navy History and Heritage Awards Program winners during an awards ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, Sep. 19, 2024.
The annual awards program recognizes non-federal organizations, including museums and individuals, for incorporating the history and heritage of the United States Navy into their publications, documents, and artifacts at their facilities. Applicants are assessed on their ability to encourage and publicize scholarly materials or lectures that depict the Navy’s history and heritage and on the organization’s ability to preserve and maintain artifacts on loan from the Navy.
“I am honored to recognize the outstanding contributions of this year’s Navy History and Heritage Awards Program winners,” said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, U.S. Navy rear admiral (retired). “These organizations continue to demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preserving our Navy’s legacy, educating the public, and inspiring future generations.”
The winners of NHHC’s 2023-2024 Navy History and Heritage Awards Program include:
• History and Heritage Excellence Pennant (History “E”):
o Battleship Texas Foundation
• Maintenance Excellence Pennant (Maintenance “E”):
o Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
• Curatorial Excellence Pennant (Curatorial “C”):
o Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
o USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated professionals and volunteers who tirelessly work to ensure our Navy’s heritage remains alive and relevant,” said Cox. “Their dedication to preserving Navy artifacts, sharing stories of valor, and promoting a deeper understanding of sea power strengthens the connection between our Navy’s past and the challenges we face today.”
The 2023-2024 Navy History and Heritage Awards Program recipients were presented with a plaque and pennant commemorating their achievement during the annual meeting of the Historic Naval Ships Association in San Diego.
The History and Heritage Excellence Pennant is presented to an organization for outstanding overall achievement in its operations, to include, curation/conservation, exhibitory, and Navy history education to the public.
Battleship Texas Foundation received the History and Heritage Excellence Award for undertaking an initiative that provided a model for the rest of the historic ship community, which included a safe way to offer public tours while the ship was in drydock between November 2022 and February 2024. Their efforts resulted in over 4,500 museum patrons and over $800,000 raised.
The Maintenance Excellence Pennant is presented to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding improvement of the condition of an artifact over the past year.
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial received the Maintenance Excellence Award for the 2024 drydocking of USS New Jersey, a $10 million project that ensured the ship will be seaworthy for the 100th anniversary of her commissioning. Specific actions during the maintenance availability included: a complete hull structural integrity survey, pressure washing and cleaning of the entire hull, testing and repairing over 160 through-hull openings, replacement of over twelve hundred hull protection anodes, sealing the propeller shafts, sealing all riveted hull seams, and applying over eighteen tons of paint in three coats, ensuring hull integrity to the maximum extent possible.
The Curatorial Excellence Pennant is awarded to an organization that has achieved excellence in the curation of the collections in its care, including maintaining and interpreting Navy artifacts on loan from NHHC. This year two organizations received the honor.
The Battleship USS Alabama Memorial Park was recognized for curatorial excellence in the extensive restoration and conversion of a B-25J bomber, representing and honoring the second crew of the famous 1942 Doolittle Raid. This crew included Mobile, Alabama native and co-pilot Lt William Fitzhugh.
The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum was also recognized for curatorial excellence for the documentation and digitization of the museum’s collection of over 14,000 objects.
For additional information on the Museum Excellence Awards, visit: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/get-involved/nhhc-awards-program.html
NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC comprises many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, ten museums, USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.
Date Taken: | 09.19.2024 |
Date Posted: | 09.20.2024 11:02 |
Story ID: | 480594 |
Location: | US |
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