Mar. 24, 2008
NAVY APPROVES PUGET SOUND NAVAL MUSEUM DESIGNATION
WASHINGTON, D.C., Mar. 24 -- The Secretary of the Navy today
approved the designation of the Puget Sound Naval Museum, clearing
the way for the Office of Naval History to assume responsibility for
the management of the facility in Bremerton’s historic “Building 50”
structure, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Monday.
The decision also triggers the release of $1
million that was previously appropriated to begin the operation of
the Museum, including approval of the lease with the City of
Bremerton, hiring staff and organizing exhibit and interpretive
materials, the congressman said.
In a statement sent to Rep. Dicks today, Navy
Secretary Donald C. Winter communicated his support for the Museum,
saying: "The Navy has enjoyed great support from the Puget Sound
community for many years. The designation of the Bremerton Museum as
a Naval museum is reflective of this unique relationship, and it
will ensure the preservation of Northwest Washington's Naval
heritage."
As an officially-designated Navy Museum, the Puget Sound facility
joins 12 other museums, one naval history display center, and four
historic ships as recognized elements of the Naval Historical
Center, allowing the Navy to display and interpret its many
contributions to the nation’s defense, its customs and traditions,
and the evolution of its numerous and varied missions.
Built in 1896, Building 50 was one of the oldest original buildings
at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard before it was re-located in 2004 to a
site outside the shipyard boundaries on Bremerton’s waterfront. It was re-opened in August 2007 but
it has been awaiting the
official Navy designation in order to become the successor to a
smaller, more local Navy museum that had operated in downtown
Bremerton for decades.
The Puget Sound Naval Museum will have three primary exhibit areas.
One exhibit will feature a particular shop operation at the
shipyard, rotating every six months; a second will depict the
history of the shipyard; and, the third will feature the history of
the carrier USS John C. Stennis, while it remains homeported in
Bremerton.
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