Patriots Point

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Wikipedia

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Patriots Point is located in South Carolina
Patriots Point
Location within South Carolina
Established3 January 1976 (1976-01-03)
Location40 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Coordinates32°47′25″N 79°54′30″W / 32.790377°N 79.90821°W / 32.790377; -79.90821
TypeNaval museum
Websitewww.patriotspoint.org

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is a naval museum located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston.

Since its opening, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum has become one of South Carolina’s most significant heritage institutions, preserving major artifacts of American naval history and making them accessible to the public. The museum attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year with its 1,000,000 square feet of living exhibits and artifacts, landside and on ship. [1]

History

Founding & Development

The museum was born out of an idea by former naval officer Charles F. Hyatt to develop a major tourist attraction on what had once been a dump for dredged mud.[2] Initial plans for the museum called for a large building onshore to display exhibits related to the history of small combatant ships in the U.S. Navy.[3] On 3 January 1976, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown was opened to the public.[4]

Legacy & Impact

The destroyer USS Laffey was added to the museum in 1978.[5] The museum was expanded again in 1981 with the addition of the submarine USS Clamagore in May and NS Savannah in October.[6][7] USCGC Comanche was acquired in 1984.[8]

The Patriots Point Development Authority attempted to capitalize on its financial success in 1987 when it announced an plans to build a hotel and marina.[9] However, the museum encountered controversy in 1989 when it was revealed that Comanche, which never opened to the public, had been used to conduct cruises for private tours and VIP parties.[10] The same year, USCGC Ingham arrived at the museum, replacing Comanche.[11][12] The latter was removed from the museum and sunk as a reef in 1992, but not before suffering damage during Hurricane Hugo.[13][14] By that time, the development project had failed, and the development authority was forced to declare bankruptcy.[15]

A replica of a Vietnam War-era naval base was opened in 1993.[16] Savannah was removed from the museum and towed to the James River Merchant Marine Reserve Fleet in 1994.[17] On 2 September 2003, Yorktown served as the backdrop for the formal announcement of Senator John Kerry's candidacy as he sought, and ultimately won, the Democratic nomination for President of the United States for the 2004 election.[18]

Laffey was towed to a shipyard for repairs on 19 August 2009.[19] The following day, Ingham was removed by the Coast Guard.[20] The destroyer returned to the museum in 2012.[21] Clamagore was towed away for scrapping in 2022 due to ongoing structural issues that were far too costly for repair; [22] it lost landmark status officially in 2024.

Visitor Experience & Programs

Today's visitor has full access to the living artifacts of the USS Yorktown and the USS Laffey, as well as the Vietnam Experience Exhibit and the Medal of Honor Museum hosted at Patriots Point. [23] The Medal of Honor Museum was designated by Congress under the National Medal of Honor Memorial Act in 1999 as a National Medal of Honor Site. [24] It reopened onboard the Yorktown in 2024. [25]

Patriots Point has hosted an interactive flight simulation pod for many years that enhances visitor experience. In 2025, the Flying Circus Simulator, along with the Virtual Reality Ride opened in the hangar bay of Yorktown, inspired by real WWII aerial combat and the legendary “Flying Circus” of CV-10 led by Lt. Eugene Valencia. [26]

Through educational programs, the museum has introduced generations of students to naval aviation, maritime operations, and American military history. Operation Overnight, the overnight experience hosted for groups onboard Yorktown, began in 1981 and still welcomes new faces. [27] Educators partner with the museum for classroom history instruction, field trips, and teacher growth and development conferences. [28] Through these programs, the museum also offers hands-on multiplayer flight simulators for students in the Flight Academy. [29]

Preservation & Conservation

Patriots Point’s impact extends beyond heritage tourism and education. The preservation work required to maintain historic ships like the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey has brought attention to the challenges of conserving large naval vessels. Recent restoration campaigns and environmental remediation projects have further highlighted the museum’s commitment to stewardship; in 2025 more than 1.6 million gallons of hazardous materials and nine tons of asbestos were safely removed from the Yorktown, along with hundreds of structural repairs. [30] Along with state funded efforts, the USS Yorktown Foundation helps support ongoing restoration efforts through community partners, fundraising, and donations. [31]

Over the decades, Patriots Point has established itself as both a custodian of naval history and a key cultural landmark for the Lowcountry, ensuring that the stories of the ships and the people who served aboard them continue to be shared with future generations. [32]

Exhibits

Ships

USS Laffey

The centerpiece of the museum’s fleet is the USS Yorktown (CV-10), an Essex-class aircraft carrier that earned an extensive combat record during World War II. Commissioned in 1943, Yorktown participated in major Pacific Theater operations, including campaigns in the Marshall Islands, the Marianas, the Philippines, and Okinawa, ultimately receiving numerous battle stars for her wartime service. The carrier later supported operations during the Vietnam War before being decommissioned in 1970. [citation]

In 1968, the ship played a prominent role in the recovery of the Apollo 8 command module, connecting it to the early history of NASA’s space program. [34] Since arriving at Patriots Point in 1975, Yorktown has been preserved as a museum ship and has become the site’s most recognizable landmark.

The USS Laffey (DD-724), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, is one of the museum’s most historically significant vessels. Commissioned in 1944, Laffey earned the nickname “The Ship That Would Not Die” after surviving one of the most intense kamikaze attacks of World War II during the Battle of Okinawa, when she withstood repeated strikes while continuing to fight. For her actions in the war, the destroyer received multiple battle stars and recognition for extraordinary resilience under fire. [36]

After World War II, Laffey saw additional service during the Cold War and supported operations throughout the 1950s and 1960s before being decommissioned in 1975. The destroyer joined Patriots Point in 1981 and remains one of the few preserved Sumner-class destroyers in the United States.

Aircraft collection

Vietnam Experience

Other exhibits

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Who We Are". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. 2025-11-17. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  2. ↑ Hitchcock, Wallace C. (23 August 1981). "Patriot's Point". The State. p. 1-C. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "Charleston, S.C. to Get New Naval Museum". Evening Journal. 25 March 1975. p. 25. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Small Crowd at Yorktown Dedication". The State. UPI. 4 January 1976. p. 1-C. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "New Ship for Patriots Point". The Times and Democrat. 30 November 1978. p. 3B. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "Sub Returns to Charleston for Final Place of Rest". Greenville News. AP. 15 May 1981. p. 2F. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  7. ↑ Stracener, William (23 October 1981). "Savannah Arrives at Berth". The State. p. 11-D. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  8. ↑ Matthews, William (12 April 1984). "Museum Claims Vessel". Daily Press. p. 20. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Baker, Crystal A. (21 September 1987). "Patriots Point Makes History Good Business". The State. p. 6. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "Patriots Point Will Cut Loose Ship Used Only by State VIPs". The State. Associated Press. 10 September 1989. p. 6-B. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "Historic Cutter to Arrive at Patriots Point Museum". The Herald. AP. 21 August 1989. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Patriots Point Will Cut Loose Ship Used Only by State VIPs". The State. Associated Press. 10 September 1989. p. 6-B. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "Shipyard Says Plan to Sink Ship Wasteful". The State. Associated Press. 7 December 1991. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Coast Guard Cutter Comanche Sunk for Offshore Fishing Reef". The Times and Democrat. 19 July 1992. p. 7B. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Lawyers Agree on Patriots Point Payment". The Times and Democrat. Associated Press. 17 April 1991. p. 3B. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  16. ↑ Saine, Deborah (2 March 1993). "'Somewhere, South Vietnam'". The Herald. p. 1C. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "N.S. Savannah Headed for 'Ghost Fleet'". The State. Associated Press. 16 July 1994. p. B7. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  18. ↑ Silva, Mark (3 September 2003). "Kerry Notes He Fought in War". Orlando Sentinel. p. A7. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  19. ↑ Kropf, Schuyler (20 August 2009). "Laffey Towed to Shipyard for Repairs". The State. p. B8. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Bird, Allyson (24 October 2009). "Big Debt Looms for Patriots Point". The State. pp. B1, B5. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Smith, Bruce (25 January 2012). "WWII Destroyer Returns to SC Home After Repairs". Yahoo News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  22. ↑ Ramsey, John (14 October 2022). "Navy submarine Clamagore towed from Patriots Point to be scrapped". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "The Medal of Honor Museum | Visitor Information". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  24. ↑ "H. Rept. 106-351 - NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MEMORIAL ACT". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  25. ↑ "Medal of Honor Museum". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  26. ↑ "Flying Circus Simulator & Virtual Reality Ride". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  27. ↑ "Operation Overnight". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  28. ↑ "South Carolina School Groups". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  29. ↑ "Flight Academy". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  30. ↑ report, Staff (2025-11-12). "McMaster announces USS Yorktown clean-up completion". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  31. ↑ "Exhibit Support". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  32. ↑ STAFF, ABC NEWS 4 (2025-06-20). "USS Yorktown's 50th anniversary sparks community project at Patriots Point". WCIV. Retrieved 2025-11-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ↑ "USS Yorktown (CV-10)". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  34. ↑ "Apollo 8 - NASA". Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  35. ↑ "USS Laffey (DD-724)". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  36. ↑ "USS Laffey Association". www.laffey.org. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  37. ↑ "N-2 Stearman-Kaydet" (PDF). Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  38. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing N2S-3 Kaydet, s/n 07526 USN, c/n 75-7130". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  39. ↑ "A-4C Skyhawk". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  40. ↑ "AD-4N Skyraider". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  41. ↑ "EA-3B Skywarrior". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  42. ↑ "SBD Dauntless". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  43. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Northrop-Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, s/n 36173 USN". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  44. ↑ "TBM Avenger". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  45. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors TBM-3E Avenger, s/n 69344 USN, c/n 2083, c/r N66475". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  46. ↑ "FG-1D Corsair". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  47. ↑ "A-6E Intruder". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  48. ↑ "E-1B Tracer". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  49. ↑ "F-14 Tomcat". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  50. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman F-14A Tomcat, s/n 159025 USN, c/n 086". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  51. ↑ "F4F Wildcat". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  52. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman F4F-3A Wildcat, s/n 3956, c/n 0838". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  53. ↑ "F6F Hellcat". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  54. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat, s/n 79593 USN, c/n A-10738". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  55. ↑ "S-2E Tracker". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  56. ↑ "TF-9J Cougar". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  57. ↑ "QH-50 DASH". Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  58. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Lockheed S-3B Viking, s/n 159731 USN, c/n 394A-1060". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  59. ↑ "A-7E Corsair II". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  60. ↑ "F-4J Phantom II". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  61. ↑ "F/A-18A Hornet". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  62. ↑ "B-25D-NC SN 41-29784 "Furtle Turtle"". B-25 History Project. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  63. ↑ "SH-3G Sea King". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  64. ↑ "F-8 Crusader". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  65. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Vought F-8K Crusader, s/n 146939 USN, c/n 648". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  66. ↑ "AH-1J Cobra". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  67. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra, s/n 159210 USMC, c/n 26050". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  68. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Bell UH-1D Iroquois, s/n 65-10132 US, c/n 5176". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  69. ↑ "UH-1 Huey". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  70. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Bell UH-1M Iroquois, s/n 66-15005 US, c/n 1733". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  71. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Boeing-Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight, s/n 154009 USMC, c/n 2360". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  72. ↑ "UH-34D Seahorse". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  73. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse, s/n 147171 USN, c/n 58-1087". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  74. 1 2 "Vietnam Experience Exhibit". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  75. ↑ "Medal of Honor Museum". Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved 24 April 2023.