Upcoming Events
June 27, 2008: "NAUTILUS NORTH POLE 50th Anniversary." Film and Exhibit opening.
The museum's new exhibit traces "Opeation Sunshine," the first ever ship to cross the Arctic via the North Pole. A showing of the 1950s film "Opearation Sunshine" with guest lecturer CDR Al Charette, USN (Ret.), a crew member on USS NAUTILUS that made this historic voyage will complement this event. The exhibit is based upon previously unpublished color images made on NAUTILUS during this trip. Exhibit opening will follow immediately after the film. Event is free and open to the public, at the museum, 10:00 am.
July 12, 2008: Lecture and Booksigning: Alfred McLaren: "Unknown Waters."
Relive an under-ice adventure by joining the former commader of the USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), CAPT Alfred S. McLaren, USN (Ret.) as he takes you on the Arctic-Siberian Shelf Expedition of 1970. Event is free, at the Museum, at noon. Books will be available for purchase.
August 2, 2008: Lecture and Booksigning: Don Keith: "The Ice Diaries."
CAPT William R. Anderson, USN (Ret.) worked with noted author Don Keith in this updated edition of the Anderson-Blair Book "NAUTILUS 90 NORTH," the originial story of the epic voyage of USS NAUTILUS, the first vessel to transit the Arctic via the North Pole in 1958. This new addition relates more of the impact of the North Pole voyage against the backdrop of the Cold War. Event is free, at the Museum, at noon.
August 3, 2008: 50th Anniversary of the North Pole Voyage Ceremony.
This commemorative event hightlights the achievements of the USS NAUTILUS and USN operations in Arctic Waters. The event is free and open to the public. The event will be held at the Museum at 2:00 pm.
August 3, 2008: 50th Anniversary of the First Crossing of the North Pole by a Ship.
On July 23, 1958, NAUTILUS departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on a Top Secret mission: Operation Sunshine - the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship. At 11:15 pm. on August 3, 1958, NAUTILUS Commanding Officer, CDR William R. Anderson, announced to the crew: "For the world, our country, and the Navy - the North Pole."
Read the Presidential unit citation
Relive NAUTILUS' history making underwater transit of the North Pole as illustrated by one of her crew members, John Yuill.
September 25 - 28, 2008: Nautilus Alumni Association Reunion - Groton, CT.
Recent Museum Events
May 23, 2008: 25th Anniversary of the NAUTILUS being named Connecticut's State Ship by the 1983 General Assembly.
2007
Sep 15 through Oct 15, 2007: Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month at the Sub Force Museum.
This observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988 on the approval of Public Law 100-402. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
August 4, 2007 at 1300: NAUTILUS hosted the Angel Drill Team
The Angel Drill Team is an organization that teaches girls what it takes to be a leader, such as attention to detail, moral responsibility, punctuality, respect for themselves and others. Over their 40 year history, the Angels have won over 600 trophies and citations.
May, 2007: Celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at the Sub Force Museum.
In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian Pacific American Heritage week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian Pacific American history: The arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States (May 7, 1843) and the significant contributions Chinese workers made to constructing the transcontinental railroad (completed on May 10, 1869). In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month long celebration.
May 20, 2007: 25th Anniversary of the NAUTILUS being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reference number 79002653, and designated a National Historic Landmark.
May 5, 2007: 43rd United States Submarine Veterans Groton Base Anniversary Celebration
Each year on the first weekend of May, SUBVETS Groton Base hosts an anniversary celebration to mark the occasion of the forming of the organization. This is similar to the Submarine Birthday Balls held around the Submarine Community in April.
The Anniversary Celebration is attended by SUBVETS from across the country. The Submarine Force Library and Museum welcomed SUBVETS as part of their "Return to Submarine School", one of many events held each year during the anniversary celebration.
February, 2007: Celebrate Black History Month at the Sub Force Museum.
For the month of February: African Americans in the Submarine Force. From World War II diesel boats to cutting edge Ballistic Missile submarines, black Americans have served with distinction in the US Navy’s “Silent Service.”
February 9, 2007: Lecture and book signing by author Glenn A. Knoblock: Black Submariners in the United States Navy, 1940–1975.
For as long as an American naval force has existed, black sailors have served it with bravery and distinction. Their roles limited by segregation, black submariners nonetheless were a key element of the “Silent Service” throughout World War II. With desegregation came expanded opportunities, and black submariners witnessed the birth and evolution of the nuclear-powered submarine, and some of the tensest moments of the Cold War. These men paved the way for those who followed—their contributions deserve recognition, and their stories deserve to be told.
Author and lecturer Glenn A. Knoblock is also the author of “Strong and Brave Fellows” about black New Hampshire soldiers and sailors who served during the American Revolution. (2003). He lives in Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire.
Read a synopsis of the event published in the Navy newstand.
2006
September 28 - October 1, 2006: Nautilus Alumni Association Reunion - Bremerton, WA.
June 23, 2006: Lecture by Dr. Stewart Nelson: Re-Discovering the World's First Artic Submarine: Nautilus of 1931
Dr. Stewart Nelson, having served as Deputy Scientific & Technical Director at the Naval Oceanographic Office and President of the American Oceanic Organization, discussed the Australian adventurer Sir Hubert Wilkins attempt to be the first to use a submarine to cross the Arctic Ocean by way of the North Pole.
May 20, 2006: Lecture by Joe Buff: Will China Rule the Waves?
Joe Buff, a life member of the U.S. Naval Institute and respected expert in submarines and national defense, discussed the danger that China can in the future present to burgeoning global freedom and America’s way of life.
Joe Buff was available to sign his bestseller, "Seas of Crisis", which can still be purchased in the museum giftshop.
2005
January 17, 2005: 50th Anniversary of the First Underway on Nuclear Power.
Ceremony to commemorate USS NAUTILUS' historic first underway, the first of any kind using nuclear propulsion. Read VADM Wilkinson's remarks from the ceremony.
2004
June 16, 2004: First Annual Submarine Force Essay Contest.
November 17, 2004: Golden Year Lecture Series.
From the Skipper: Rear Admiral Richard Riddell, USN (Ret), NAUTILUS' last Commanding Officer. Read RADM Riddell's remarks.
December 1, 2004: Golden Year Lecture Series.
From the Skipper: CAPT William Anderson, USN (Ret), NAUTILUS' Commanding Officer during the historic Pacific to Atlantic transpolar voyage via the North Pole in 1958.
December 7, 2004: Dedication of Medal of Honor Gallery.
A moving tribute was held to submariners who have received the nation's highest award for valor, featured in the new Medal of Honor Gallery. See more about the Medal of Honor gallery.
September 30, 2004: 50th Anniversary of the Commissioning of the USS NAUTILUS.
Ceremony to commemorate USS NAUTILUS' historic commissioning, the first nuclear powered submarine. Read ADM Bowman's remarks from the ceremony.
If you would like to include announcements on this page concerning special events within the submarine community, please contact our secretary toll free at 1-800-343-0079 (local visitors may call (860) 694-3174) or Email.