Thirty Years of Collecting: Treasures from Intrepid’s Collections

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Thirty Years of Collecting: Treasures from Intrepid’s Collections
July 27, 2012 to October 28, 2012

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum was founded in 1982 to preserve the history of a battle-worn aircraft carrier. It also serves as a vessel to tell the stories of the over 50,000 men who served aboard the ship during her more than three decades of service. In order to tell these stories, the Museum collects and cares for over 5,000 uniforms, letters, photographs and other items that various crew members acquired and donated.

The ship itself is fascinating as an artifact, but the personal objects and memories of those who served aboard bring the ship to life. Using these items and stories, the Museum’s curatorial and collections staff are able to accurately interpret service on Intrepid and in the U.S. Navy. The unique items in the collection and their accompanying memories help piece together the true story of Intrepid.

Thirty Years of Collecting: Treasures from Intrepid’s Collections highlights some of the stories behind the artifacts that are not always on view. In addition to the objects from Intrepid’s history, there are items from other major highlights at the Intrepid Museum Complex: Growler, Concorde and, the most recent addition, space shuttle Enterprise.


Growler Commemorative Flag, 1962 Collection of Intrepid Sea, Air& Space Museum. Gift of Duane Heatwole. 00.2011.286 This Growler battle flag illustrated basic information about the boat, such as the Regulus missile and the yellow stripes that commemorate each of her patrols.		US Navy Pilot's Helmet, ca. 1942–45 Collection of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Gift of Sam Folsom, Lt. Col. USMC. 2009.02.21 Helmet from Sam Folsom, a World War II Marine pilot. This and more from the Sam Folsom Collection will be on view.		Comic Cartoon, 1944 Collection of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Gift of Edward Arthur Ritter and Valerie Junge. 2009.35.22 Artwork by Ed Ritter, a pilot and member of Fighter Squadron VF-18, created aboard Intrepid during World War II.		Space Shuttle Enterprise Metal Lunchbox and Thermos, 1977 Collection of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Museum purchase. 2012.01.03.01 & .02 While participating in the Approach and Landing Tests in 1977, Enterprise captured America’s attention. Toys, banks and even lunch kits were created to mark the exciting moment in America’s space program.