Submarine Force Museum Home of Historic Ship Nautilus
USS Nautilus and Museum will be CLOSED March 23-25 due to a Force Protection Exercise.
Upcoming Events
3rd Annual Halloween on a Submarine!
Celebrate Halloween on a Submarine!
Saturday, October 29th, 4-8 pm
Join us in costume (or not) for this FREE event.
- Watch slightly scary movies!
- Go on a spooky scavenger hunt!
- Make creepy crafts!
- Tour the haunted USS Nautilus!
- And, of course, get lots and lots of candy!
Night at the Museum Wine Tasting
Recent Museum Events
As we approach the ten-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the beginning of the Global War on Terror, the Submarine Force Museum is planning a ceremony of remembrance. The centerpieces of the ceremony will be two specially-made banners on which will be written the names of the approximately 9,000 Americans who lost their lives on that fall morning and in the military operations that followed.
To complete this task, we are asking for your help. Visit the Museum any day (except Tuesday) between 9 AM and 4 PM and write a few names on the banners. No preregistration is required—simply stop by if you have some time.
The banner honoring the more than 6,000 Americans who have fallen in the Global War on Terror is six feet high and fourteen feet long.
The banner remembering the 3,000 Americans lost on September 11, 2001 is six feet high and ten feet long. The Banners will remain up until September 25th.
POW/MIA Recognition Day
Friday, September 16, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
The Submarine Force Museum will be observing this important day with a specially-made video, a guest speaker, and a Missing Man Ceremony.
These events will be repeated several times throughout the day, so we hope you’ll have a chance to stop by and take part as we remember these servicemembers’ stories and sacrifices.
Bike Walk Connecticut
On Sunday, August 14, 2011, the Submarine Force Museum will be hosting “Bike Day” with our friends at Bike Walk Connecticut.
For kids ages 5-11, learn proper bicycle handling and roadway safety skills. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with registrations at 10:00, 11:30, and 1:00, instruction commencing a half hour later. Bring bike and helmet. (No helmet. No problem. Thanks to CSG/Cannondale, we provide). Completely FREE and open to the public!
Our Silent Service Art Exhibit
From August 12 - September 12, The Submarine Force Museum will host "Our Silent Service: A Tribute to Our Nation's Submarine Force," a new art exhibit featuring original watercolor paintings by Lizbeth Maxson-McGee.
There are 14 submarine-themed art pieces painted in celebration of the contributions made by the nation's Submaring Force. Including:
- "The Launch" of the U.S.S. Pittsburgh at Electric Boat
- "Northern Lights" showing a Virginia-class submarine cruising the Norwegian fjords
- "Take Her Down" depicting the U.S.S. Connecticut as it submerges for deployment
- "Clean Sweep" which portrays the return of the U.S.S. Providence to port after a successful sea trial.
About the Artist
Lizbeth Maxson-McGee is
a long-time resident of Groton with ties to the maritime world dating back generations. During the Civil War, her great-great grandfather was co-owner of the Mystic shipyard that built the "Galena" an iron-clad vessel. In "Our Silent Service" she has dedicated her work to those who with courage and confidence sail beneath the distant seas and surface under the canopy of stars.
Opening Reception: Friday, August 4, 5 - 8 pm.
There is no cost for museum entry or to view the artwork.
2011 Summer Programs
All programs are free and no registration is required!
Programs run from 10:00-3:00.
- Saturday, June 18:
DIXIE CUPS
Love the white "dixie cup"hats the Sailors wear?
Decorate one to take home. - Sunday, June 26:
TDU CAN SMASH
Subs get rid of their garbage through a Trash Disposal Unit (TDU) that ejects weighted, biodegradable cans from the boat. Choose a few water balloons, arrange them in our plastic "can,"and see how many weights they hold before exploding! - Friday, July 8:
BOTTLE ROCKETS
Design your own plastic-bottle rocket and launch it in our parking lot! - Saturday, July 16:
CONCRETE BEACH
When a sub surfaces in the middle of the ocean so the crew can soak up some sun, it's called "steel beach. "Bring your own lunch (no glass, please!) and join us for a day of fun on our "concrete beach"—the pier behind the Museum! - Sunday, July 24:
BALLISTIC BALLOONS
Some subs can launch ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets thousands of miles away. Try hitting something a little closer with one of our water-balloon launchers!
- Friday, July 29:
HALFWAY DAY
Mark the midpoint of summer the way submariners mark the midpoint of their time at sea—with special games and activities. - Saturday, August 6:
SUB DRESS UP
Try on some of the many uniforms Sailors wear.
Don't forget to bring a camera! - Sunday, August 14:
BIKE DAY
Bring your bike and learn how to be a better—and safer—rider! Check our website for more information as the date approaches.* - Friday, August 19:
FIX A FLOOD
Flooding can be a big problem on a sub, so Sailors train to deal with leaks both big and small. Try your hand at fixing a "leaky pipe" and check out some of the other damage-control tools that boats carry. - Friday, August 26:
FIRE!
Join the SUBASE fire department in our parking lot as they talk about fire safety and show you how to escape from a burning building. - Friday – Monday, September 2-4:
SCAVENGER HUNT
Tour the Museum, find some special exhibits, and win a prize.
All programs are free and no registration is required!
Programs run from 10:00-3:00.
Spring-Break at the Submarine Force Museum
Come visit the Museum during Spring-Break.
April 22-24 from 10am to 3pm.
FREE! All Ages Welcome!
Build. Launch. Deploy!
- Build a Model Submarine
- Launch on our Special Raceway
- Test the Power of your New Warship!!
See the flyer for more details!
Photos Available in our Gallery!
Presidents' Day Weekend
Join us for Presidents’ Day Weekend—February 19, 20, and 21—as we highlight the submarines named after our first three presidents: George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
When you arrive, pick up an activity book with mazes, puzzles, fun facts, and a place to put a photo of yourself in front of USS GEORGE WASHINGTON’s sail, which stands right in front of the Museum. 
Plus, go on a short scavenger hunt—find three items and be entered in a raffle to win a real submarine patch from one of the featured boats! Alternately, DOWNLOAD YOUR ACTIVITY BOOK!
Join us any time between 9 AM and 4 PM to learn more about and have some fun with the “Presidents of the Deep.”
Submarine Community Events
If you would like to include announcements on this page concerning special events within the submarine community, please contact our secretary toll free at 1-800-343-0079 (local visitors may call (860) 694-3174) or Contact the Appropriate Person in Regards to your Inquiry with our Contact Form.