People from many different backgrounds served on Intrepid and Growler. Telling a wide range of their stories enables the Museum to share a rich and full history of our two historic vessels. This includes exploring the barriers that some Navy personnel faced based on their race, gender, sexuality or nation of origin.

The Intrepid Museum just launched 15 new mobile guide stops that examine some of these stories. Each new stop includes a video, many of which feature former Navy personnel sharing their experiences. The videos are part of a larger project called Full Muster: Inclusive Histories on Historical Naval Ships, which sheds light on stories that are often overlooked.

A number of the new mobile guide stops focus on the experiences of Black sailors. The Navy’s discriminatory policies limited the service of Black personnel through the 1940s, and discriminatory practices persisted for decades after the Navy lifted formal barriers. Segregation at Sea features Black sailors describing their service on board combat ships during World War II. Reforming the Navy explores the Navy’s efforts to address racial discrimination in the 1970s.