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Site Selection Event Propels Effort to Build State-of-the-Art Facility Near Washington Navy Yard

PRESS RELEASE
October 24, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Navy Museum Development Foundation (NMDF) is gaining momentum in its effort to build a new National Museum of the United States Navy in the nation’s capital. On Friday, Foundation leaders appeared with the Secretary of the Navy, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and members of Congress and the District of Columbia government to publicly announce the selection of a strategically valuable site near the Washington Navy Yard.

“The museum that we will build on this site will be a living testament to the Sailors who have donned the uniform and served, and it will help us pass the torch to those who will make the same pledge to serve in the future,” said Ambassador Kenneth J. Braithwaite, 77th Secretary of the Navy and chairman of the NMDF Board. “We shall use this museum to teach our children and our children’s children about the history of the greatest navy to ever sail the seven seas. Full speed ahead!”

“This state-of-the-art facility will tell the full story of American Sea Power by showcasing the contributions of millions of Sailors since the Navy’s founding in 1775, creating a lasting memorial to the service’s central role in our nation’s history,” said retired Vice Adm. Albert H. Konetzni Jr., president of the NMDF Board.

While Friday’s site selection event marked the public launch of the museum effort, the NMDF team has been on task for months and is implementing a nationwide, comprehensive multi-year strategy to raise $500 million to build the Navy Museum. Plans include:

  • Mobilizing a community of allies to support the effort, building on NMDF’s strong relationships with Sea Service non-profit partners.
  • Conducting a grassroots outreach effort to hundreds of ship and squadron alumni groups representing over 1 million Navy veterans.
  • Enlisting support from the corporate community to honor their contributions to our nation’s rich maritime heritage and national defense.

“It is an honor to salute those who have already made commitments to the effort,” Braithwaite added. “Our founding donors include the Association of the United States Navy; Mrs. Julie and Mr. Stephen Chapin Jr.; Mr. Charles Jones; Dr. Jennifer London; the Marine Machinery Association; and Orr Partners. Thank you for leading by example.”

The newly constructed museum will share the campus with three historic buildings, rooting it in history and tradition. Together, they will form a mixed-use campus that will be open to the public and serve as a resource for the Navy and the City of Washington.

Friday also marked the unveiling of a bust inside the current Navy Museum honoring Foundation board member retired Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr. He was the first American aviator shot down over Vietnam and the second longest-held prisoner of war in North Vietnam — eight-and-a-half years — where he endured harsh conditions and brutal treatment. Alvarez’s numerous decorations include a Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

“I love my country and am proud to have been able to serve it in any capacity,” said Alvarez. “I am looking forward to seeing a new home for Navy history, so we can tell the full story of the thousands of American heroes who have served our nation and made our freedom and way of life possible.”


Media Contact: Pete Janhunen, email pete@155strategies.com or call (301) 828-8788.

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WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announces the official site selection for the new National Museum of the United States Navy, Oct. 18, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The site for the new NMUSN is in the vicinity of the historic Washington Navy Yard, at Tingey Street and M Street, and will improve public access to interactive exhibits that will share stories of the Navy’s rich history and heritage. The current NMUSN, which falls under Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), is located inside the Washington Navy Yard. (Photo by Chris Ferenzi)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – Ambassador Kenneth J. Braithwaite, 77th Secretary of the Navy speaks during a ceremony announcing the official site selection for the new National Museum of the United States Navy, Oct. 18, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Braithwaite is the chairman of the board for the Navy Museum Development Foundation, selected by the U.S. Navy to implement a nationwide, comprehensive multi-year strategy to raise $500 million to build the new navy museum. The site for the new NMUSN is in the vicinity of the historic Washington Navy Yard, at Tingey Street and M Street, and will improve public access to interactive exhibits that will share stories of the Navy’s rich history and heritage. (Photo by Chris Ferenzi)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – Retired Vietnam prisoner of war Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr. looks at a bust of himself for the first time at the National Museum of the United States Navy, Oct. 18, 2024. In 1964, Alvarez became the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam. He was captured and held for eight and a half years as a prisoner of war, returning home in 1973. “I love my country and am proud to have been able to serve it in any capacity,” said Alvarez during his remarks. “I am looking forward to seeing a new home for Navy history, so we can tell the full story of the thousands of American heroes who have served our nation and made our freedom and way of life possible.” (Photo by Chris Ferenzi)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – A bust of retired Vietnam prisoner of war retired Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr. was unveiled for the first time at the National Museum of the United States Navy, Oct. 18, 2024. In 1964, Alvarez became the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam and spent eight-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war, returning home in 1973. (Photo by Chris Ferenzi)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – A bust of retired Vietnam prisoner of war retired Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr. was unveiled for the first time at the National Museum of the United States Navy, Oct. 18, 2024. In 1964, Alvarez became the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam and spent eight-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war, returning home in 1973. (Photo by Chris Ferenzi)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – Members of the Navy Museum Development Foundation pause for a photograph during a reception after the announcement of the site selection for the new Museum of the U.S. Navy, Oct. 18, 2024. From left to right are executive director, Navy Museum Development Foundation, Bradley Carlson; principal and corporate gifts director Jennifer Kaye; development and events project manager Laura Johnson; and senior project director Jeff Cannon. The site for the new NMUSN is in the vicinity of the historic Washington Navy Yard, at Tingey Street and M Street, and will improve public access to interactive exhibits that will share stories of the Navy’s rich history and heritage. The current NMUSN, which falls under Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), is located inside the Washington Navy Yard. The Navy has partnered with NMDF, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, to support the NMUSN’s campus construction through various fundraising and other efforts. (Photo by Chris Ferenzi)