Submarine museum mystic ct free#

If you get claustrophobic in small spaces, then I would also recommend avoiding the sub. The museum extensively covers the history of submarines and submarine warfare. Even with the absence of that submarine the museum is still worth visiting. There are a lot of steep stairs and tight spaces, and on occasion we needed to climb through smaller entry-holes. Connecticut (CT) Mystic Country Groton Groton - Things to Do The Submarine Force Museum Search. *Please note that the USS Nautilus is not at all equipped for people with physical disabilities or other mobility impediments.

Submarine museum mystic ct free#

Entrance to the museum is free, and there's plenty of free parking. The rest of the museum was equally interesting, with plenty of exhibits on the US Navy in both peace and wartime. The 6,000 volume reference and research library is a world-renowned collection relative to the history of U.S. With so many holdings, the displays change frequently and a return visit will be a new experience.

There are small signs distributed throughout the submarine to explain the various functions, and the overall experience gave us much better insight into the lives of people living in the submarine (oftentimes for weeks or months on end). Specialties: The museums collections include more than 33,000 artifacts, 20,000 significant documents and 30,000 photographs. There's a lot to see and learn here, and you get to board an accurate, life-sized submarine (the USS Nautilus*) to learn more about the living conditions of those running the submarines. This captivating, hands-on museum isn't as well-advertised as some of the other activities in the area, but is absolutely worth a visit. There is some great history available here and you can’t beat the price. Navy torpedoes, a large model of a GATO class submarine, working periscopes that you can look through, deck guns, survival gear and much more. Some the cool exhibits include a Polaris missile, A collection of U.S. Stroll through our recreated seaport village The buildings you see aren’t replications. There are some exhibits outside but the day we were there it was uncomfortably hot, so we skimmed that part quickly. The city of New London, west of Mystic at the mouth of the Thames River, also offers many places of historic interest as well as a lively downtown and a refurbished waterfront, home to the U.S. Did I mention it is FREE?Ī person with a strong interest in submarine warfare could probably spend 3-4 hours in the museum but most folks will probably be looking at a 1 – 2-hour visit. Moving westward along the shore, you find the town of Groton and the USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum. You do not need to be an expert in naval operations or submarine warfare to enjoy this museum. Even with the absence of that submarine – the museum is still worth visiting. I have toured the Nautilus in the past and wanted to repeat that experience. The Nautilus has been removed for renovation and is scheduled to return in the fall of 2022. After her arrival, she spent 20 years shifting vessels to and from the Museum’s restoration shipyard, ice-breaking, restoring bulkheads, delivering derrick barges, and standing ready in case of fire.Unfortunately, the USS Nautilus is not currently located at the museum.

Even before joining the Mystic Seaport fleet, she had helped move the Museum’s historic ships in the 1950s and 1960s. The tug also shuttled equipment to other EB locations, helped with the construction of the Thames River’s Gold Star Memorial Bridge, kept the docks clear of ice, and responded to fires on the Thames and Mystic rivers.Īfter Cold War-era nuclear submarines grew too large for Kingston II to handle, she was declared surplus and donated to Mystic Seaport by the General Dynamics Corporation. Navy submarines, including the world’s first nuclear submarine, Nautilus, and guided subs into and out of repair docks.

Kingston II had only two captains during her long EB career,Thomas Majewski and Thomas Payton.For 42 years Kingston II worked the docks at Groton’s Electric Boat (EB) plant. During busy stretches they might work more than 100 hours in one week. but the tug and crew responded to calls at any time of the day. Kingston II carried a crew of three: a captain and two deckhands.