Museum - Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

It was on this day in 1943 (Jan. 21), that the USS Yorktown was first launched! Here she sits 78 years later on Charleston Harbor open daily for tours!

We've come a long way since US Naval aviation was invented more than 101 years ago, on January 18, 1911. That's when 24-year old pilot Eugene Ely completed the world's first successful landing on a ship - the USS Pennsylvania, which had a temporary wooden landing strip built just above her afterdeck. The landing happened in San Franscisco Bay. Once aboard the Pennsylvania, those on the ship celebrated the achievement with cheers, horns and whistles!

Happy Martin Luther King Day! On this day a year ago, the Navy announced that they would name a future aircraft carrier after World War II veteran Doris Miller. The ship will be the first flattop to pay homage to the African American, Navy Cross recipient and enlisted service member. Click the link below to read more about Miller's heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The USS Doris Miller is scheduled to be laid down January 2026, launched October 2029, and commissioned in 2030. . . . https://www.navytimes.com//navys-next-aircraft-carrier-na/

A talented member of the Yorktown's 1966 crew had some fun with this sketch! It's on tour for you to enjoy during your next visit. We'll see you soon! www.patriotspoint.org

Enjoy a behind the scenes look at our museum team as they decorate for the special holiday version of our guided Captain's Tour. The tour will be offered Dec. 21 - Jan 1 and is available to purchase online (www.patriotspoint.org) and at our ticket window. Charleston's number-one-rated walking tour company Bulldog Tours will share stories about life at sea during the holidays! There are a limited amount of tours offered each day, so don't wait to book your spot!

It's alive! Here's a peek at the holiday light and music show that our team built on the hangar deck of the USS Yorktown. Who's ready for some hot chocolate? Get your museum tickets at www.patriotspoint.org

It's time for another Pri-Fly project update! Check out the Air and Mini-Boss chairs that are being installed this week aboard the USS Yorktown. The cool Charleston weather has been much more pleasant to work in. This project is funded by the USS Yorktown Foundation, which many of you support through generous donations! If you'd like to continue to support this project and others, visit www.ussyorktownfoundation.org. We'll post another update soon! Stay tuned.

Enjoy this view high above Charleston Harbor as we circle around our beautiful ships! When is the last time you took a tour of our museum? We're open today, come see us! www.patriotspoint.org.

On Monday, December 7, 2020, we honored the lives lost during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack lasted an hour and 15 minutes. More than 2,403 U.S. personnel, including 68 civilians, were killed. In total, more than 300 U.S. aircraft and 19 Navy ships were destroyed or damaged, including eight battleships.

PRI-FLY UPDATE: Thank you again to those who donated to the USS Yorktown Foundation's Pri-Fly Project. Last month, we shared photos of the seat cushions that were being sent to be reupholstered. Here's what they look like now! Stay tuned for another update next month!

A paranormal investigation aboard the USS Yorktown produced a photo of... Well, you decide. Here's the story. Don't forget, Bulldog Tours is offering daytime ghost tours Friday at 12 and 2 pm and Saturday at 10, 12 and 2. If you visit our museum this weekend wearing a costume, you'll be offered the children's rate for admission. https://www.youtube.com/watch

Today (Tuesday, Oct. 27) is Navy Day, established on October 27, 1922 by the Navy League of the United States. October 27 was suggested by the Navy League to recognize Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. Roosevelt had been an Assistant Secretary of the Navy and supported a strong Navy as well as the idea of Navy Day. In addition, October 27 was the anniversary of a 1775 report issued by a special committee of the Continental Congress favoring the purchase of merchant ships as the foundation of an American Navy. Source: Military.com

Today marks 55 years since the first major battle between the United States and the People's Army of Vietnam (the North Vietnamese Army). The Battle of Ia Drang Valley took place between 14 and 18 November 1965. A few years ago, many of the soldiers who fought in the battle under 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment Commander Hal Moore reunited aboard the USS Yorktown. Here's what they shared with us.

The USS Laffey is included in our price for admission and is a "can't miss" when you visit. Learn why this tin can is nicknamed "The Ship that Would Not Die."

Spooky fun for the whole family on Halloween weekend! Wear a costume & receive children’s price of admission Take an exclusive ghost tour of the USS Yorktown Enter our touchless costume contest Learn more: https://bit.ly/37AUTko

Behind The Scenes: Have you ever built a model? If you have, you know how much time and effort goes into every piece. Here at Patriots Point, we have hundreds of beautiful models on display aboard the Yorktown and they all need a little love now and then. Lucky for us, our friends the Coastal Carolina Modelers have committed hours of their time to help maintain and improve our model exhibits. Here's a look at their work! Thank you, Coastal Carolina Modelers Association

Thirty-seven years ago today, Oct. 23, 1983, 220 Marines, 18 U.S. Navy sailors, and 3 U.S. Army soldiers lost their lives in the Marine Barracks at the Beirut Airport. Not since the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II did the U.S. Marines suffer a more devastating single-day death toll. It marked the largest single-day loss of U.S. servicemen since the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive. You are not forgotten.

We want you! Did you know that our employees receive free admission to almost all the local attractions and museums in the Charleston area? It's part of our reciprocity program! We're looking for an energetic and fun person to join our ticketing team. Click the link to learn more and apply! https://bit.ly/35hZt5B

VETERANS DAY: We’re LIVE aboard the USS Yorktown for a special socially-distant Veterans Day ceremony to honor the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum volunteer force. Town of Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie is our featured speaker. A large majority of our volunteer team are veterans who love to speak to visitors about their time in the military. Without these men and women, the museum experience would not be nearly as special! During the ceremony we will honor the lives of volunteers who have passed this year, and we’ll announce the 2020 Volunteer of the Year.

It's not easy to find tires for historic aircraft, but because of a USS Yorktown Foundation donor, our planes and helicopters are getting 72 new tires! Here is more on the project and what it means for us. https://www.postandcourier.com//article_4f31cd90-0a61-11eb

It's a beautiful sunny day, perfect to visit us this afternoon to explore 1,000,000 sq ft of very cool things to see and do. It's also International Day of the Nacho. Our awesome planes and ships will give you something to taco about (sorry!). Then celebrate the day at one of the local Charleston Sports Pubs. Conveniently, they have nachos...and burgers, wings, fries and more.

Are you ready for some spooky fun aboard the Yorktown this Halloween? We're offering children's prices for admission if you show up in a costume Friday, Oct. 30 - Sunday, Nov. 1. On Friday and Saturday we are partnering with Bulldog Tours to offer daytime ghost tours. Plan to arrive early, because they may sell out fast! Please considering sharing this post to help us get the word out! Will we see you this Halloween?

We're very proud of The Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Mayor and Patriots Point Development Authority Board Member Will Haynie and USS Yorktown Foundation Executive Director Allison Hunt for their recent induction as Joint Base Charleston Honorary Commanders. The program is designed to encourage an exchange of ideas, experiences and friendships between key members of the local civilian community and the Charleston Military Community. We can't think of two more deserving key members of the community. The Town and the Yorktown Foundation do so much to support our museum and the military. Thank you both for all that you do!

Our ships are more than just a museum to the heroes that served on them. Just a month after reboarding the USS Laffey for the first time in 73 years, World War II veteran Waitman Kapaldo passed away. Kapaldo served aboard the Laffey during the Battle of Okinawa when 32 of his crew members were killed in what has been labeled the most concentrated aerial attack in U.S. naval history. The Kapaldo family says his return to see the "Ship That Would Not Die" gave him the closure he needed.

We brag about our volunteers because, well, they are the heart and soul of the museum. Today, former Blue Angel team member Tom Simons dives into a plane he knows very well, the Skyhawk. After watching the video, how about heading over to www.patriotspoint.org to buy a ticket to see it in person! See you soon.

The weather today is a 10/10! When was the last time you spent a day on an aircraft carrier? Get your ticket at www.patriotspoint.org We'll see you soon!