By Linda Tancs

Designated by Congress as America’s National Maritime Museum, The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia, is one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime museums in the world. In fact, the museum’s library contains the largest maritime history collection in the Western Hemisphere. One of its most iconic features is the USS Monitor, representing the world’s largest marine archaeological metals conservation project. More than 210 tons of material were excavated from the ship’s wreck site in the depths of the Atlantic. Historically significant objects recovered include the revolving gun turret, two Dahlgren guns and the steam propulsion engine. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the conservation efforts from the observation platform at the Batten Conservation Complex. Leave some time to visit the 550-acre park which features the award-winning 5-mile Noland Trail that surrounds the 167-acre Mariners’ Lake.