The USS Midway Museum is a maritime museum and historic naval vessel located on San Diego Bay in San Diego, California, United States. The museum is centered around the former United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV‑41), which served from 1945 to 1992 before being decommissioned and transferred to the nonprofit organization USS Midway Museum. The museum opened to the public on June 16 2004 and is operated by a private, nonprofit corporation under a lease agreement with the U.S. Navy.
History of the ship
USS Midway was the lead ship of the Midway‑class aircraft carriers. Laid down on 15 October 1943 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia, she was launched on 20 April 1945 and commissioned on 26 April 1945. The carrier saw service in the final months of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War, earning multiple battle stars and commendations. She was the longest‑served aircraft carrier in the United States Navy at the time of her decommissioning on 10 April 1992.
Conversion to a museum
Following decommissioning, the vessel was transferred to the USS Midway Museum, a nonprofit organization formed to preserve the ship as a public exhibit. The ship was towed to San Diego and underwent extensive refurbishment to meet safety standards and to accommodate visitors. The museum opened in 2004 with a focus on interactive exhibits, historic aircraft, and educational programs.
Museum features and exhibits
The museum spans 23 decks and includes over 60 historically significant aircraft, ranging from World War II-era propeller planes to modern jet fighters. Notable aircraft on display include a Grumman F‑14 Tomcat, a Douglas A‑4 Skyhawk, and a McDonnell Douglas F‑4 Phantom II. Interior exhibits present the ship’s operational areas, such as the flight deck, hangar deck, bridge, galley, and crew quarters. Audio‑visual presentations, guided tours, and interactive simulators provide contextual information about naval aviation, carrier operations, and the ship’s service history.
Educational and community role
The USS Midway Museum offers educational programs for school groups, veterans, and the general public. Programs cover topics such as naval engineering, maritime history, and leadership. The museum also hosts community events, veterans’ reunions, and special exhibitions, and it contributes to tourism in the San Diego region.
Visitation and impact
Since opening, the museum has become one of the most visited attractions in San Diego, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Revenue from admissions, memberships, and donations supports ongoing preservation, educational initiatives, and the maintenance of the vessel.
Governance
The museum is governed by a board of directors and operated by a professional staff and a large volunteer corps. It operates under a lease agreement with the U.S. Navy, which retains ownership of the vessel.
See also
- List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy
- Maritime museums in the United States
- Naval History and Heritage Command
References
- U.S. Navy, “USS Midway (CV‑41) – History,” Naval History and Heritage Command.
- USS Midway Museum, “About the Museum,” official website, accessed 2026.
- National Park Service, “National Register of Historic Places – USS Midway.”