Washington Navy Yard

Washington Navy Yard covers roughly 127 acres (51 hectares) along the Anacostia River with buildings in Colonial Revival and Victorian styles. The compound includes several museum structures, historic workshops, and administrative facilities arranged around central courtyards.

The compound opened in 1799 as a naval shipyard under Benjamin Stoddert and initially built warships for the new American fleet. Following the 1814 fire and due to shallow river depth, operations shifted to producing naval guns and ammunition.

Along the main avenue of the compound stand cannon batteries and historic anchors that mark the seafaring heritage visitors can walk through. The chapel and several buildings still carry original shipwright markings and now serve as museum and event spaces.

Access to public areas requires passing through security checkpoints where visitors present valid identification. Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station sits within walking distance and provides convenient arrival to the southern entrance.

In 1835 the yard organized the first documented strike by federal civilian employees in American history. Workers protested an extension of the daily workday from ten to eleven hours without additional pay.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: October 2, 1799

Architects: Benjamin Henry Latrobe

Architectural style: Colonial Revival architecture, Victorian architecture

Industry: shipbuilding

GPS coordinates: 38.87389,-76.99500

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:01