Naval Historical Foundation Celebrates 75 Years

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, March, 2001

On 13 March the Naval Historical Foundation (NHF) celebrates its 75th anniversary as a custodian of America's naval heritage. Located in the Washington Navy Yard, D.C., the foundation was created in 1926 to preserve the material culture of the Navy. By 1949 it had developed into a nonprofit educational organization concerned with a broad range of naval history.

In addition to publishing monographs dealing with historic naval topics, the foundation has a Naval Heritage Speakers Forum made up of member volunteers. Periodic public symposiums are produced on significant events, such as WW II and Korean War naval battles. In 1996 a comprehensive oral history program was begun to capture the experiences of Navy veterans from WW II through the Cold War, with interview transcriptions placed in publicly accessible U.S. Navy archives and libraries.

In addition, the foundation's Historical Services Division offers reproductions of historical photography, books and documents in the Navy's historical collections, and its fund-raising efforts provide direct support for the NavyMuseum.

Membership in the NHF is open to all interested individuals and organizations. Benefits include invitations to foundation special events, discounts on Navy Museum Gift Shop and Historical Services Division products, and the foundation's newsletter containing articles on naval history.

The foundation's latest outreach initiatives bring the U.S. Navy's proud heritage to its honored veterans, as well as a newgeneration of Americans.