United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum

This museum preserves a heavy cruiser warship from World War II still moored at the shipyard where it was built. The vessel itself serves as the main exhibit, allowing visitors to walk through the spaces that once housed sailors and officers.

The ship was completed in 1949 and served the Navy for more than 30 years before being retired. The museum emerged when local volunteers acted to preserve this vessel after the shipyard itself stopped operating.

The site reflects how shipbuilding shaped the identity of this region and its people for many decades. You can sense how deeply this industry influenced daily life and community heritage here.

The ship can be explored from top to bottom, with multiple decks and compartments open to visitors. The warmer months offer the most comfortable conditions for walking through the vessel and experiencing all accessible areas.

This particular warship is the only one of its kind still preserved anywhere in the world and saw actual combat during its service. The fact that it remains moored at its original construction site adds another layer to its historical significance.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: January 7, 1993

Industry: shipbuilding

Website: http://uss-salem.org

GPS coordinates: 42.24400,-70.96990

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:47