USS NORTH CAROLINA TODAY: FLOATING MUSEUM
“On April 29, 1962 the North Carolina was dedicated as a memorial to all of the men and women of North Carolina who had served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II, and to the memory of nearly 10, 000 North Carolinian's who gave their lives in the war” (B. Blee, p.92). She was dedicated as a wartime memorial that will remain intact to honor the men and women who served in World War II. The dedication of the USS North Carolina was made possible by the Save our Ship Campaign. Today the North Carolina Battleship resides along the coast of North Carolina in Wilmington. According to Wilmington Today it is one of the city's most popular attractions, and certainly the largest.
The USS North Carolina brings World War II to life and people are then able to place themselves in that era and see what life was like as a crew member on board B-55. It is referred to as that grand, gray old lady, which has been moored across the Cape Fear River from downtown’s Riverfront Park for the past 50 years (Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington Today). Hundreds of thousands of people visit the battleship each year and are able to go back in time and see how life was on the USS North Carolina.
It has a great economic impact on Wilmington, North Carolina because of the amount of travelers it brings into the area. The low cost of the admission fee to visit the Battleship brings in thousands of visitors each year and allows for all cultural backgrounds a chance to visit the ship. It also brings a cultural and historical perspective to Wilmington because of the history associated with the USS North Carolina and the efforts made to bring it to North Carolina as a museum and the efforts of the men and women of North Carolina who fought in World War II.
Photo from: Wilmington, North Carolina's Hisoric and Patriotic Attraction- The USS Battleship. (2011, March 24) Retrieved from
http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/southern-way-of-life/2012/03/wilmington-north-carolinas-historic-and-patriotic-attraction-the-uss-battleship
The USS North Carolina brings World War II to life and people are then able to place themselves in that era and see what life was like as a crew member on board B-55. It is referred to as that grand, gray old lady, which has been moored across the Cape Fear River from downtown’s Riverfront Park for the past 50 years (Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington Today). Hundreds of thousands of people visit the battleship each year and are able to go back in time and see how life was on the USS North Carolina.
It has a great economic impact on Wilmington, North Carolina because of the amount of travelers it brings into the area. The low cost of the admission fee to visit the Battleship brings in thousands of visitors each year and allows for all cultural backgrounds a chance to visit the ship. It also brings a cultural and historical perspective to Wilmington because of the history associated with the USS North Carolina and the efforts made to bring it to North Carolina as a museum and the efforts of the men and women of North Carolina who fought in World War II.
Photo from: Wilmington, North Carolina's Hisoric and Patriotic Attraction- The USS Battleship. (2011, March 24) Retrieved from
http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/southern-way-of-life/2012/03/wilmington-north-carolinas-historic-and-patriotic-attraction-the-uss-battleship
The Battleship includes many areas open for tour and visitors are able to view areas such as the mess halls, work stations, gunnery, berths, Captains quarters, and many other necessary places to have during the war on board the ship. The memorial is open every day of the year and has special programs throughout the year. Several of these include Memorial Day Observance which features a military guest speaker. Battleship Alive is where crew members bring the Ship to life and re-enact daily duties and drills from World War II so that people can travel back in time to feel and learn what life was like at this time. Battleship 101 which is where volunteers are placed throughout the ship and engage visitors with particular topics so that people can learn from the experts about the battleship and World War II. WWII Crew Reunion is held annually where the crew from World War II returns to the ship. I feel that this is an excellent and one of a kind program because these people are able to keep in touch and revisit the place that they served during the war. During their time on the ship they were able to form close bonds with the crew members and can reminisce on the memories and friendships formed. Other events are held each year such as an Easter Egg Carnival, a Film Festival where visitors can watch movies under the stairs as the crew did, Halloween Bash, Ghost Ship which is an annual haunted house, fireworks, and more.
The USS North Carolina truly brings World War II alive and when visiting tourist are able to feel and live out what life was like for these crew members on board. The Battleship is a floating classroom and is open to everyone to learn about how this ship was used during World War II and is dedicated to the men and women who fought in World War II from North Carolina.
The USS North Carolina truly brings World War II alive and when visiting tourist are able to feel and live out what life was like for these crew members on board. The Battleship is a floating classroom and is open to everyone to learn about how this ship was used during World War II and is dedicated to the men and women who fought in World War II from North Carolina.