USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship

10/27/2026

A unique way to honor veterans and active duty service members during the holiday season. Purchase a holiday wreath and have it placed for display on the lifelines of Battleship North Carolina during the holiday season. The 20-inch evergreen wreaths will be decorated with ribbon and a card with the name of the individual being honored.

The wreaths will be put into place on December 7 and will remain on the lifelines through the first week of January 2027. Those purchasing wreaths will receive a photograph of the wreath(s) via email after placement on the lifelines. Those who wish to keep their wreath(s) after the display period may pick them up after January 1 at Battleship North Carolina, 1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Orders must be placed by November 27.

10/27/2026

Every great ship has a beginning. Ours started with a single rivet!
On October 27, 1937, the keel of the USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) was laid at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, marking the official beginning of her construction.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison had the honor of driving the first rivet using a pneumatic riveting machine. Joining him for the historic occasion were Rear Admiral Clark Woodward and North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Wilkins P. Horton.
These photographs capture the moment when the Showboat began taking shape, nearly four years before she would enter service as the first new American battleship commissioned in two decades. From that first rivet to her distinguished service in World War II, the NORTH CAROLINA's story began with the hands of the shipbuilders who brought her to life. And nearly 90 years later, she's still making history!

10/26/2026

Our amazing curator, Mary Ames Booker, joined WECT News Now's Randy Aldridge on Friday to give viewers a preview of Saturday’s Battleship 101! She brought along a few fascinating artifacts from our collections, sharing a little piece of Battleship history with viewers and the WECT team.

Missed the interview? Watch it here: https://bit.ly/4Bq572v

And if you missed Battleship 101, there’s still one more chance this year to see history come alive aboard the Showboat!

⚓ Battleship Alive! | Saturday, December 5

Step back in time as World War II living history interpreters bring shipboard life to the present day. Watch the Battleship North Carolina Living History Crew recreate daily duties and drills, ask questions, and discover what life was like for the sailors who served aboard USS NORTH CAROLINA.

Best of all, Battleship Alive! is included with regular admission! Mark your calendar, and we'll see you aboard on December 5.

NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

10/25/2026

🇺🇸 Honor Your Hero. Be a Hero. Donate Blood.

This Veterans Day, honor those who have served by giving the gift of life!

Join the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial and the American Red Cross for a community blood drive aboard the Ship. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for patients in need.

🩸 Monday, November 9, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial — Wardroom

Schedule your donation today! See comments below for details on how to make an appointment.

All donors are welcome! Please arrive well-hydrated and bring a photo ID.

10/24/2026

2,700 pounds. Each. And that's just the projectile!

Ever wonder what it took to load the USS NORTH CAROLINA's massive 16-inch guns? This October 1941 photograph takes us inside one of the Ship's gun turrets, where enormous projectiles were stored and moved into position for loading.

Each projectile shown weighed a staggering 2,700 pounds. Moving these giants required specialized machinery, including power-driven capstans and a system of cables that maneuvered the projectiles across the shell deck toward the hoist. From there, the projectiles traveled upward to the guns, where they could be loaded and fired. It's an incredible look at the engineering, machinery, and teamwork required to operate the Showboat's main battery.

10/23/2026

Looking for something super fun to do with the family TONIGHT? We've got Mary Poppins onboard!

Tickets are $5 for Friends Members and $10 for non-Members. Purchase your tickets online at https://bit.ly/48VMEOJ

10/22/2026

Ever wonder what it took to operate a World War II battleship? Discover the answers Saturday, Oct. 24, as Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial hosts Battleship 101, an interactive experience that brings the Ship's history to life.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., explore the Ship with knowledgeable guides stationed throughout to share fascinating details, answer questions, and offer a look inside areas normally closed to the public. Battleship 101 is included with regular admission!

10/22/2026

We are always proud to be a training site for first responders and rescue professionals. The Battleship continues to serve her country and community!

Midnight ops on the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship

10/22/2026

🌟 STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Meet Aubrey C.!

Meet the people behind the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial! Our Staff Spotlight series introduces the dedicated team members who preserve the Ship, share its history, and help keep the Memorial running every day.

This week, we're introducing Aubrey C., Ship's Store Supervisor.

We asked Aubrey what she enjoys most about working at the Battleship. Here's what she shared:

"Working here feels a bit like home. My very first job as a teenage was at the Battleship Missouri, so working now at the Battleship North Carolina is a true full-circle moment. My absolute favorite part of the job has been meeting visitors from all over the globe and helping them create wonderful memories."

Next time you visit, stop by the Ship's Store and say hello to Aubrey!

NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

10/21/2026

This historic postcard captures the Marine Guard aboard the armored cruiser USS NORTH CAROLINA (ACR-12), standing at attention in their dress blue uniforms.

Commissioned in 1908, ACR-12 served during an era of tremendous change in naval history, decades before the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) earned her place in World War II history.

Different ships. Different generations of service. One proud North Carolina namesake.