Freedom Park Navy Museum | Omaha

Freedom Park Navy Museum in Omaha is a unique and striking tribute to U.S. naval history, located along the Missouri River near the Omaha riverfront. Unlike typical indoor museums, Freedom Park combines traditional exhibits with a rare opportunity to explore actual naval vessels, giving visitors a tangible, immersive sense of life aboard ships and submarines.

Origins and Setting
Established in the 1970s by local veterans and civic leaders, Freedom Park was designed to honor the men and women of the United States Navy while preserving historic naval vessels for public education. Its location along the Missouri River provides a scenic backdrop, with walking trails, open lawns, and views of downtown Omaha enhancing the visitor experience.

Historic Vessels
The museum’s centerpiece is its collection of decommissioned naval ships, which visitors can tour up close:

USS Hazard (AM-240) – A World War II-era minesweeper that served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Its compact deck, command stations, and engineering spaces offer a glimpse into the working life of sailors during wartime.

USS Marlin (SST-2) – A small submarine that trained generations of Navy personnel. Guests can explore the cramped quarters, torpedo room, and control panels, experiencing firsthand the tight spaces and complex systems submariners navigated daily.

USS The Sullivans (DD-537) [occasionally on display] – A destroyer named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers, with interpretive panels and decks highlighting naval operations, weaponry, and crew life.

Walking along these vessels provides a tactile and spatial understanding of naval operations that is hard to replicate in a traditional museum setting. Many visitors note the powerful contrast between Omaha’s quiet riverfront and the historical intensity represented by these ships.

Indoor Exhibits
The museum’s indoor areas include displays of naval uniforms, models, photographs, and artifacts spanning U.S. naval history. Exhibits cover topics such as World War II, the Cold War, and modern naval technology, emphasizing the role of the Navy in both national defense and humanitarian missions. Personal stories of sailors and veterans are highlighted, connecting historical events to human experience.

Educational and Community Role
Freedom Park functions as both a museum and an educational resource. School groups, veterans’ organizations, and history enthusiasts regularly visit for tours, lectures, and commemorative events. Interpretive staff guide visitors through the exhibits, explaining ship operations, naval history, and the broader context of U.S. military engagement. Special events, such as Veterans Day ceremonies or ship anniversaries, are often hosted on-site, fostering community engagement and historical awareness.

Visitor Experience
Exploring Freedom Park is a hands-on and contemplative experience. Guests walk from ship to ship along landscaped paths, sometimes climbing ladders and narrow stairways to reach decks and cabins. The Missouri River’s wind, the creak of metal underfoot, and the smell of aged wood and paint create an authentic, almost cinematic atmosphere. Families often pair a visit with a picnic on the riverfront, adding a relaxed, reflective counterpoint to the intensity of the ships themselves.

Accessibility and Surroundings
Located just a few blocks from Lewis & Clark Landing and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Freedom Park is easily accessible from downtown Omaha. Paved walkways, informational signage, and nearby parking make the site family-friendly and suitable for visitors of all ages.

Overall Impression
Freedom Park Navy Museum offers a rare blend of history, hands-on exploration, and outdoor engagement. It’s a place where visitors can physically step into the past, experiencing the scale, complexity, and life of naval service. The combination of historic vessels, interpretive exhibits, and the scenic riverfront setting makes it a distinctive landmark that honors military service while offering a compelling, immersive learning experience in Omaha.