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Using the Collections The Museum regularly reviews offers of gifts and the staff researches items to augment, improve, and fill gaps in its collection. To be accepted, each acquisition must directly relate to the purpose of the Museum. It also must be useful to illustrate a subject for an exhibition or for educational and research purposes. Catalog records and documentary evidence are developed and maintained on all acquisitions in the Museum's collection. The preservation of objects in the collection is a primary concern. Examinations and treatment by professional conservators are costly but very necessary functions for the benefit of future generations. The vast assortment of items and variety of materials-oil paintings, ship models, art on paper, textiles, and metals- in a history museum require a diversity of expertise and constant attention. The Museum staff plans the use of the artifacts in the collection on a continuing basis. They design and construct long-term exhibits in the Museum galleries and other areas of the Academy. Each year several special temporary exhibitions are featured that focus attention on selected themes and subjects. They use objects from the Museum's own collection and, at times, selected items borrowed from other sources. Midshipmen are encouraged to study the materials in the Museum in developing oral presentations and written reports. The collection is also made available to faculty and to visiting scholars for research. Scope of Collections The Museum's holdings include ship models, paintings, prints, flags, uniforms, swords, firearms, medals, sculptures, manuscripts, rare books, photographs, ship instruments and gear, and a wide variety of personal memorabilia. Several special collections are particularly noteworthy: The Beverley R. Robinson Collection's 6000 prints reflect the naval history of Europe and the New World from 1514 through World War II. The United States Navy Trophy Flag Collection, begun by an Act of Congress in 1814 and given to the care of the Naval Academy in 1849, now totals more than 600 historic American and captured foreign flags. Included are the famous "Dont Give Up the Ship" battle flag flown at the Battle of Lake Erie, the first American ensign flown in Japan (1853), and flags and banners which have been to the moon. The flags are augmented by a collection of books on the subject, among which are many rare and valuable hand-illustrated editions. Another valuable
historical reference is the Malcolm Storer Naval Medals Collection, which
was donated in 1936. It is composed of 1,210 commemorative coin-medals
dating from 254 BC to 1936. The collection was gathered from thirty countries. |
