National Museum of the American Sailor

The National Museum of the American Sailor is a military museum at Naval Station Great Lakes that documents the history of sailors in the United States Navy. It displays uniforms, photographs, documents, and personal items that illustrate the experiences of naval personnel across many decades.

The museum was founded in 2009 under the Naval History and Heritage Command to preserve and share the stories of enlisted sailors in the United States Navy. The collection began with the goal of documenting these personnel's experiences for future generations to understand.

The exhibits show how naval training traditions have changed over time, including new ways to recruit and welcome people from different backgrounds into service. Visitors can see how these shifts shaped the daily lives and experiences of sailors.

The museum is located in Building 42, a former World War II welcome center that now welcomes visitors. Guided tours and educational programs help visitors understand the collection and the stories it contains.

The institution is located at the only boot camp of the United States Navy and holds over 40,000 artifacts. Its photograph collection captures decades of training scenes and is the largest of its kind in the nation.

Location: Naval Station Great Lakes

Inception: 2009

Operator: Naval History and Heritage Command

Website: http://history.navy.mil/nmas

GPS coordinates: 42.31212,-87.84347

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:06