On Tuesday July 27, Navy and nonprofit leaders cut the ribbon for a new exhibit at the Navy Museum in the Washington Navy Yard. The exhibit showcases the vision for a future National Museum of the U.S. Navy campus just outside the Navy Yard on M Street, accessible to the public. The Director of the Navy History and Heritage Command, Rear Admiral Sam Cox, provided opening remarks and yielded the floor to Retired Vice Admiral Al Konetzni, president of the National Navy Museum Development Foundation (see NMDF.org) which will be seeking private sector funding to make this long-awaiting Navy museum a reality in time for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy in 2025. Chief of Naval Information Rear Admiral Charles W. Brown rounded out the program describing how this new facility will help tell the Navy’s story to the Navy and the American people, both for in-person visitors and those who will see the museum virtually from all over the world. Former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton was present for the event and expects to take a leadership role with NMDF. Wielding the ceremonial scissors for the ribbon cutting was Dr. Jennifer London, widow of retired Navy Captain Dr. Jack London, who served many years on the NHF Board before his untimely death earlier this year. The couple have been long-time supporters of naval heritage initiatives in general, like the annual Battle of Midway celebration, as well as dedicated donors for the Navy Museum and many of the Navy-related nonprofits who, like the Naval Historical Foundation, will be helping this campaign succeed.
