IOWA recommissioning ceremony August 25, 1951 / the Korean War

May 9, 2026 | History, Experience, Museum, Veterans

New Collection Added to Battleship IOWA’s Archives: Photographs and Written Memories from the Korean War Commissioning Lt. Robert McKinnell served aboard BB-61 as Assistant Outgoing Stores Officer during the Korean War. His daughter, Susan, has generously...

Today’s Historical Encounter

March 17, 2026 | Community, History, Experience, Museum

WWII Gunnery Lieutenant’s Family Visits His Old Ship Photo from Holtzman family Battleship IOWA historian/curator Dave Way gets to have some fun conversations. On a recent morning he was checking in with the tour team on deck when a special group of people came...

Happy 83rd Birthday, IOWA!

March 12, 2026 | Community, History, Experience, Museum

February 22, 2026 marks the 83rd anniversary of BB-61’s original commissioning. To commemorate the occasion, Battleship IOWA’s historian/curator Dave Way dug into his archives to share some fun photos, including a shot of the cover of the very first issue...

“Oh Those Float Planes…”

November 7, 2025 | History, Experience, Museum

4 November 1946: Off Long Beach”Oh, Those Float Planes…” A lot can happen in a day aboard a ship – especially one as complex as an Iowa Class battleship. Let’s take a trip back in time to 1946 and see what life aboard was like. 1200 to...

Headlines from the End of World War II

September 2, 2025 | Community, History, Experience, Museum

Celebrating The 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, come with us on an imaginary journey through what could have been newspaper headlines in the week surrounding that momentous occasion. 27...

Escape the Fleet

August 4, 2025 | History, Experience, Museum

Escape the Mothball Fleet Experience Explore rarely-exposed areas of a World War II battleship as you gather the intel needed to… Escape The Mothball Fleet Get ready for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that blends elements of an escape room and a...