puget sound navy museum

Wonderful museum for all ages. We had a bit of time before our ferry, and this was recommended to us. So glad we were early for the boat so we could visit this little museum. A real treat!

Once upon a time, the Puget Sound Naval Museum was a great place to see and learn about the history of the Navy in this area, and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS). That is no longer the case, and hasn't been in several years.Back in the early 80's the museum was in the old, now demolished ferry building in Bremerton. In the 90's they moved to a nicer building downtown, when the new dock was built. In those incarnations, the Museum was a privately owned concern. The folks that ran it loved their museum, and it showed. A few years ago, PSNS decided to donate the old Admin building, Bldg 50, to the Museum for a permanent home. Of course, there was a catch. There always is.To get the building "donated", the Museum had to be signed over to the Navy. Not PSNS, the US Navy. Nice, huh?Well, that happened, and the Naval Historical Command promptly removed the items that did not "Fit in with the Museum's mission." Meaning, all the wonderful displays and items are now gone. Several of them have been destroyed, with no regrets. Very little, if anything is stored in the basement. If you're wondering at this point how do I know all this? It's very simple. I have interviewed two different curators, and have received the same answer from both. Some of the destroyed items were provided by me. And now they no longer exist. Oh, and the current "mission"? Best as I can tell after 3 visits, the museum's main function is to be a recruiting center for PSNS. If you really want to see Naval history, and not just some basic info on PSNS, you are in the very wrong place.

Since you can't get into the shipyard, this is the best way to see the sights and history of America's GREATEST public shipyard. It is well worth the time and is amazingly kid friendly.

We were waiting for my son and found the museum. It was the best simulation of life on a aircraft carrier. Help me understand a small glimpse of a sailors life on board. So impressed with the presentation had to donate since it was free. A DEFINITE SEE...

We visited the museum many years ago when it was in a building on the waterfront near the Turner Joy. Back then, the museum had an awesome exhibit related to the work the yard did to repair battle damaged ships during World War II. It was truly impressive, but apparently gone now, stored in some basement. The exhibits that are there are pretty good, including the USA Stennis exhibit, which probably helps people who aren't familiar with shipboard life understand it, but I think the previous exhibits related to the past history of the yard definitely need to be included. There are exhibits showing the history of the yard, but it's limited in its scope and focused narrowly. It's a nice museum, but I wish it was more like it was years ago.

this is a great stop to see the inner working of torpedo and the earliest submarines to semi current modes of weapons of the water ways. we were there all day and I had been there a few times on other trips.this should be on your list of maritime museums of the Seattle sound area. take a few days to check them out.and this one you can count on it taking at least half a day to see part of it. its better to go without a plan to be somewhere else on a time schedule.you might get lost in history as you see how these things were made. the real things are there. decommissioned [made safe] for your viewing pleasure.

Stopped here on Monday and it was free of charge and it was very nice. I enjoyed seeing the items surrounding the Navy as my father was a Navy man.

I really enjoyed my visit. In fact, I ran out of time and plan to go back to finish view the exhibits. The gentlemen who greeted us so very friendly and willing to answer any question we had during or time there.If you're in the area, you need to take some time to stop by and learn about the rich history of the area!

Excellent museum providing the history of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the expansion that you see as of today. Well worth the visit.

having been in the navy 40 plus years ago and worked in several U.S. Naval Shipyards I found this museum very interesting. Learned a few things I never new.

Visting friends, and sharing our third USS Sam Houston submarine reuion we found this museum wonderfully informative, and likley overlooked by many Seattle visitors.It was an excelent presentation of ship building and overhall history. Amazingly by musuem standards today, all interactive exhibits worked well. Lots of history presented, with significnat submarine presentation, outside the musuem and ship yard are magnificent random shooting fountains in the shape of submaring sails, and exquisite cut and formed rocks. Much attention in the outside display area is given to the history of American women in war tiem support. This musuem is donation only, with no admittance fees. Very nice gift shop with reasonable prices, Do Not Miss this jewel !!

This was a great little museum right next to the ferry terminal. I found the exhibits informative and well done.

Not a great museum but it was free. Enjoyed some of the info on Subs and the Hamerhead Crane. The video on the Navy Seals was top notch.

This is a free museum that is well worth the time to go through. Really tells the story of Puget Sound and has a lot of original pictures, clippings and actual items that tell the story of the area.

I loved the way it tells a story from the beginning to current. Sit and watch old films, see real articles and items from the era. I loved they had a play room for kids with learning tools.