Guns, Sweat, and Gears: Anatomy of a Battleship
Step into the past. Guns, Sweat and Gears: Anatomy of a Battleship features enormous gun devices, tools and personal mementos from Norfolk’s own Battleship Wisconsin. Exhibit highlights include a 2,400 pound military analog computer, a 12-foot long optical range finder, World War II racks, galley equipment, shell sleds and cradles for moving the Battleship Wisconsin’s gun ammunition, a 48-star U.S. flag and archival images.
Our Mighty Seaport
Celebrate maritime commerce in Our Mighty Seaport. Navigate a tugboat down a busy waterway and receive “real-time” information on ships sailing past Nauticus, discover what’s coming in and what’s being shipped from Virginia to far corners of the globe, or step outside and see giant cranes, tugs, sailboats and cargo ships from the Elizabeth River Observation Deck.
An Enduring Legacy: The U.S. Navy & the 1907 Jamestown Exposition
Watch An Enduring Legacy: The U.S. Navy & the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. This 26-minute film explores the importance of the Jamestown Exposition to the region and its influence on the development of the naval station at Sewells Point.
1907: The Jamestown Exposition & Launching of the Steel Navy
Learn about the period from 1880, when the Navy began to recover from a post-civil war decline, to 1907, when President Theodore Roosevelt sent the Great White Fleet around the world as an affirmation of American naval strength in 1907: The Jamestown Exposition & Launching of the Steel Navy.
Secrets of the Deep
Discover the secrets of the sea in Secrets of the Deep. Highlights of this exhibit include information about NOAA’s underwater parks and the highly publicized USS Monitor site, a submersible called The Clelia and artifacts recovered from the wreck of the famous Civil War ironclad.
SOS Station
Nauticus’ SOS Station explores all types of weather-related phenomena. Experience hurricane force winds in the Hurricane Simulator, strike a spark and learn about lightning, or analyze current weather conditions.
Tsunami Ready
Learn all about Tsunamis. Tsunami Ready explores the destructive power of these natural occurrences and educates on how they are formed and how you can be prepared for them.
Stewards of the Sea
Explore the 1,000-square-foot, highly-interactive Stewards of the Sea. How the Navy protects marine life while fulfilling its mission, defending freedom and protecting the environment, is examined in this exhibit.
Horseshoe Crab Cove
Horseshoe Crab Cove is fun for all ages. Admire and touch exotic sea creatures in a simulated tide pool where horseshoe crabs and many other Chesapeake Bay inhabitants live.
Shark Experience
Meet the sharks of Nauticus in the center’s Shark Experience. Brownbanded Bamboo Sharks, Whitespotted Bamboo Sharks, Coral Catsharks and Epaulette Sharks live at this exhibit.
Living Seashore
The Living Seashore exhibit displays information about the plants and animals that inhabit the Chesapeake Bay. You can also learn about the importance of keeping the Bay healthy and how you can help do this.
Battleship Wisconsin Tour
Step aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, accessible from the second floor of Nauticus, and explore the decks of one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Exhibits throughout provide an in-depth look and pay tribute to the Battleship Wisconsin.
Battleship Wisconsin Exhibits
Art in the Guts of the Wisky
Murals painted on the ship by sailors during the last years of the vessel’s 66-year history have been found on the Battleship Wisconsin. These murals are hidden from the public eye and were likely not sanctioned by the Navy. See recreations of the original artwork in Art in the Guts of the Wisky.
Battlescopes
Use cutting-edge, mutli-media technology to explore the main weapons systems and control spaces of the USS Wisconsin. This unique experience takes place overlooking the battleship, enabling you to see the ship like it has never been seen before.
A Capital Ship
“Capital Ship” is a term used to emphasize the traditional role of big-gun warships in naval affairs. Discover the origin of the warship and its role in military warfare throughout history in A Capital Ship.
Wisky Walk: Fifty Years of Service
Explore the life and service of the Battleship Wisconsin. Wisky Walk: Fifty Years of Service chronicles the history of the ship through vivid photographs, video presentations and a variety of artifacts.
USS Wisconsin: The Last Battleship
Don’t miss USS Wisconsin: The Last Battleship, a film that spans the 50-year history of the Battleship Wisconsin. During the film, archival footage shows the USS Wisconsin in action, from kamikaze attacks in World War II to Tomahawk missile launches in Operation Desert Storm.
Shopping and Dining at Nauticus
Shopping
Located on the first floor of Nauticus is the Banana Pier Gift Shop. Shop nautical souvenirs, apparel, books, toys, home décor items and a large selection of Battleship Wisconsin merchandise in the 3,000 square-foot shopping space.
Dining
Food and drinks are available from the Dockside Café. Enjoy wraps, flat breads, sandwiches, burgers, and Caribbean bowls for a main. Add a side of coleslaw, French fries, or onion rings. Hot and cold drinks are also available for purchase from the café.