Did you know Navy ships have a set of flags used to communicate with other vessels? Come experience what it is like to communicate using the International Code of Signals and signal flags on the Battleship Wisconsin.
Program included in general admission!
Abandon Ship Friday, June 26, 2026 | 1PM
Do you have what it takes to survive on the open ocean when your ship goes down? Join us for our interactive floor program as we discuss tools and methods that will help you survive adrift on the ocean.
This daily program is included in Nauticus’ general admission.
Did you know Navy ships have a set of flags used to communicate with other vessels? Come experience what it is like to communicate using the International Code of Signals and signal flags on the Battleship Wisconsin.
Program included in general admission!
Did you know 97% of Atlantic Sturgeon spawn in the exact same river they were born in? Would you also be surprised to find out that they navigate their way back to their home rivers by using their sense of smell! Come join us here at Nauticus for “Smell Like A Sturgeon”, an interactive floor program that tests your sense of smell to see if you have what it takes to sniff your way home like the Atlantic Sturgeon.
Smell Like A Sturgeon activity is included in general admission.
Exploring Fossils: Chesapecten Jeffersonius
Did you know Virginia’s state fossil is the Chesapecten Jeffersonius? In this program you will hold real fossils excavated by one of our educators, learn about the fossilization process, and how fossils help us understand ecosystems and change over time—you will even create your own imprint and take home your own DIY recipe for creating fossils at home!
Program included in general admission!
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 10AM
Do you have what it takes to survive on the open ocean when your ship goes down? Join us for our interactive floor program as we discuss tools and methods that will help you survive adrift on the ocean.
This daily program is included in Nauticus’ general admission.
Special Display | The WAVES of WWIILearn about the service of the USN WAVES in WWII through the story of Barbara G. Kelley Drolet.
During World War II, women were barred from serving in the regular armed forces but special reserves branches were founded that opened the door for female servicemembers to serve their country in a variety of roles both at home and overseas. Learn about the women’s reserves branch of the US Navy, the WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service), and explore the service of Barbara G. Kelley (Drolet) who served with the WAVES during WWII.
Norfolk Historical Society Monthly Lecture Series: TBD
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The MacArthur Memorial is proud to host the Norfolk Historical Society’s Louis Guy Lecture Series every second Wednesday of each month. These lectures are free and open to the public!
Join the Norfolk Historical Society every second Wednesday of the month for a free, public lecture on Norfolk and Hampton Roads’ history.
More details to come.
For more information, please visit the Norfolk Historical Society’s website: https://norfolkhistoricalsociety.wildapricot.org/
Special Display | Beginnings: Images of Occupied Japan
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
This rotating collection of prints by US Army photographer Nicholas Orzio portray the drastic changes experienced by Japan in the immediate years following World War II.
This exhibit presents a rotating set of photographs taken by Nicholas Orzio of the 71st Signal Service Battalion attached to General Headquarters (GHQ) in Tokyo. His service took him across the country from 1948-1949, and his photographs dramatically portray the story of tremendous change during Japan’s recovery from total defeat following WWII.
More details to come.