The John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum

Navy Photo

The US Navy commissioned the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) into service on September 7, 1968 in honor of President Kennedy.  After 38 years of dedicated service, the Navy decommissiond “Big John” at its last base in Mayport, Florida on March 23, 2007.  A dedicated group of individuals (led by Massachusetts native-son, Paul Troxell) has teamed up with a singular goal, to “Save The JFK” from its present fate - that of “mothballed naval relic” at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF) in Philadelphia.

In its anticipated second life as the John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum, visitors from around the world will have the opportunity to tour the vessel in an up-close and personal (hands-on) way and learn firsthand about “carrier-life” from the perspective of docent-volunteers who served aboard “Big John” (as they refer to her).  Interactive museum exhibits will include countless recorded testimonials by many of CV-67's former “shipmates,” of all ranks bringing to life the naval experience through the words of those who actually served aboard the ship.  Visitors of all ages will explore the inner-workings of the massive super-carrier, view retired aircraft, observe artifacts of on-board life and delve into the history of the ship and its namesake, one of the most beloved figures in United States history.

As with the highly acclaimed “Live It & Learn It” educational programs offered aboard the USS Midway in San Diego, the USS John F. Kennedy will serve as a “Platform For Imagination & Education” within the South Florida community and beyond. 

Formal, informal and even overnight educational programs will enable “learning disguised as fun.”  Students will explore projects in history, science, math, social studies, geography, engineering, strategy, and more in an environment which promotes common sense solutions to resolve complex problems - where teamwork and cooperation are paramount.

The John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum promises to serve as a major attraction for tourists, a world class facility for meetings, conventions, “off-sites” and special events, and a source of civic pride.  It is expected to quickly become the most popular tourist attraction in the United States south of Orlando, Florida.

Read what visitors to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum (SDACM) in San Diego have to say about their experience, and what the museum has meant to their city.

Since its opening as a museum in 2004, the USS Midway has not only retired all its debt, but expects to welcome aboard one million visitors in this, its third year of operation.  First Lady, Laura Bush recently honored the SDACM management team in the White House Rose Garden with the 2007 “Preserve America Presidential Award” – the highest national award for historic preservation achievement.

As the proposed “Anchor Tenant” of Miami's highly-anticipated “Museum Park” adjacent to the Port of Miami, the John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum is projected to draw 1.2 million annual visitors to its downtown waterfront location.
 
The JFK CV-67 Memorial Foundation’s management wishes to express its eternal gratitude to the Board Of Directors, Management and Docent Volunteers of the SDACM for their ongoing encouragement, real-world advice and generous endorsements provided in support of our efforts to secure both the location, and the vessel - as we fight the good fight to “Save The JFK.”