The U.S. Naval Academy educates and trains America's future Navy and Marine Corp officers. It recently reopened to visitors after being closed for Covid. You can now visit, tour, and explore this very special place steeped in history.
The Academy began in 1845 with 50 students and 7 instructors and was named the Naval School. It was on 10 acres of Fort Severn. It was renamed the United States Naval Academy in 1850 and instituted a 4-year curriculum. The academy's mission is focused on developing midshipmen morally, mentally and physically into leaders of character for the Navy and Marine Corps. Today the campus is 338 acres and educates around 4,400 students yearly by approximately 650 faculty members. It offers twenty-five academic majors and all graduates receive a bachelor of science degree.
You can sign up for a free guided walking tour of the campus at the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. While waiting for your tour to begin you can watch a film and see exhibits about the Naval Academy. There is also a gift shop. Visitors 18 & older are required to show a photo ID.
Visitor Center hours are:
- 9am - 5pm (March - December)
- 9am - 4pm (January - February)
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Ways to enter the Academy:
- By car - Drive to Gate 1 at the corner of Randall Street and King George Street. You will be directed to a small short-term parking lot.
- On foot - Enter through the pedestrian entrance on Prince George Street.
Places to see at the academy:
The Main Chapel dome was recently replaced with new copper and can been seen from all around downtown Annapolis and Eastport. It is estimated that it will take 20-25 years before it turns green again. The chapel was dedicated in 1908 and offers weekly services that are open to the public. Many academy graduates have gotten married in the chapel. The chapel is also home to many musical performances throughout the year. A few years back my family went to a sold out performance of Handel's Messiah. It was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed it very much. The crypt of John Paul Jones, one of the greatest Revolutionary War naval heroes is located beneath the chapel and is a stop on the tour.
Other buildings open to the public and may be part of your tour are:
- The Office of Admissions, located on the second deck of the visitor center is open Mon - Sat, 10am - 2pm, except federal holidays
- Ricketts Hall, the NAAA ticket office
- Lejeune Physical Education Center
- The Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel
- Dahlgren Hall, houses the Drydock Restaurant that is open to the public, Summer hours Mon - Fri 10am - 3pm
- Tecumseh Court, site of noon meal formations for the Brigade of Midshipman, normally held at 12:05 weekdays during the academic year, schedule and weather permitting
- Bancroft Hall is largest dormitory in the United States, the rotunda and a sample bedroom are open to the public
- Preble Hall is the site of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum
Enjoy your tour and tell the visitor center staff you saw this on Macaroni Kid Annapolis!
