“From New York to the Nuclear Navy” Opens June 29 at State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs: Exhibit Tracks the History of the Nuclear Navy In New York
The dedication of the Hortonsphere at the Kesselring site in July 1955, a piece of the sphere is part of a new exhibit at the NYS Military Museum. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new exhibit at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs highlights the history of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and the contributions to the advancement of the program made in New York.
The exhibit provides an immersive experience that includes over 60 artifacts from across the program, kids activities and QR codes that provide a portal to films, presentations and websites with additional information.
Titled “From New York to the Nuclear Navy,” the exhibition was developed in a collaboration between the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, Naval Reactors, the USS Nautilus Museum in Groton, Connecticut and the New York State Military Museum.
To celebrate the opening of the exhibit to the public there will be ice cream, a brass band, activities for children, and representatives from the U.S. Navy and Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel on hand from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday June 29.
Founded in 1948 by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) has total responsibility for all aspects of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion, including research, design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants. The program’s responsibility includes all related facilities, radiological controls, environmental safety, and health matters, as well as selection, training and assignment of personnel.
Since the very beginning, New York State has played an important role in the program; from the first contract signed in 1946 with General Electric in Schenectady to design and develop prototype nuclear propulsion systems to today and the advanced design work performed at the Knolls Laboratory in Niskayuna and the nuclear operator training occurring at the Kenneth A. Kesselring Site in West Milton.
The exhibit will include over sixty artifacts highlighting the history of the program and celebrating the contributions of the Naval Nuclear Laboratory sites, including the keel plate from the Hortonsphere at the Kenneth A. Kesselring Site and a 3D printed model of a submarine’s nuclear propulsion system.
The museum, maintained by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free.
For more information on the Museum visit: https://museum.dmna.ny.gov