Submarine Force Museum & USS Nautilus | Groton

The Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut, form one of the most important naval heritage sites in the United States. Operated by the U.S. Navy, the museum preserves and interprets the history of submarine warfare, while the USS Nautilus-the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine-serves as its centerpiece. Together, they highlight Groton’s identity as the “Submarine Capital of the World.”

Historical Significance

The museum traces the evolution of submarine design, strategy, and technology from the Revolutionary War through the nuclear age. Connecticut holds special importance in submarine history, as Groton is home to the Naval Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat, the primary builder of U.S. submarines.

The USS Nautilus (SSN-571), commissioned in 1954, was a groundbreaking vessel that revolutionized naval warfare. Powered by nuclear propulsion, it achieved previously impossible feats, including traveling submerged under the North Pole in 1958. Its service demonstrated the viability of nuclear-powered submarines, cementing America’s naval dominance during the Cold War. The Nautilus was decommissioned in 1980 and permanently preserved at the museum as a National Historic Landmark.

The Museum Experience

Visitors to the Submarine Force Museum can explore a comprehensive collection:

USS Nautilus Tour: Guests board the submarine, walking through restored compartments such as the control room, crew quarters, and torpedo room. Audio tours describe life onboard and explain the vessel’s historic missions.

Exhibits: Artifacts range from early experimental submersibles to modern nuclear technology. Models, uniforms, photographs, and personal stories give a human perspective on submarine service.

Historic Vessels: Displays cover iconic submarines, including the Civil War-era USS Hunley, WWII submarines like USS Gato, and advanced Cold War designs.

Weapons and Technology: Torpedoes, sonar equipment, navigation instruments, and nuclear propulsion systems are explained in context.

Cold War & Polar Exploration: Exhibits highlight the Nautilus’s journey beneath the Arctic ice and the strategic role of submarines in nuclear deterrence.

Educational and Cultural Role

The Submarine Force Museum serves as both a military archive and a public learning center:

Naval Heritage: It preserves the legacy of submarine service and honors the sailors who served beneath the sea.

STEM Education: Programs and interactive exhibits introduce visitors to physics, engineering, and technology behind submarines.

Community Engagement: The museum works closely with veterans’ groups, schools, and naval organizations to keep submarine history alive.

Visiting Information

Location: Groton, Connecticut, along the Thames River near Naval Submarine Base New London

Admission: Free to the public, reflecting its role as an official U.S. Navy museum

Hours: Open most of the year, with seasonal schedules; closed on major federal holidays

Facilities: Free parking, visitor amenities, restrooms, museum shop, and accessibility options

The Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus combine cutting-edge naval history with a deeply personal look at life aboard submarines. Standing aboard the Nautilus, visitors directly experience a vessel that changed the course of military technology and global strategy, making the site one of the premier attractions in southeastern Connecticut.