 
Timeline
| • March 1, 1973
Intrepid Retires
Intrepid’s crew was given word that the ship would be retired from military service. Throughout the next year, the crew would prepare the ship for the scrap yard.
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| • February 27, 1979
Founding
Zachary Fisher, a New York real estate developer, founds the Intrepid Museum Foundation. The Foundation saves the Intrepid from the scrap yard and gives life to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
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| • August 3, 1982
Intrepid Opens
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum opens with exhibits that celebrate Intrepid’s Navy service and explore the history of flight, the Museum provides a unique experience for visitors and honors those who have served in defense of our nation.
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| • May, 1987
First Fleet Week
New York City celebrates its first Fleet Week.
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| • December, 1990
Blackbird Arrives
The Lockheed A-12 Blackbird, on loan from the U.S. Air Force, joins the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum’s aircraft collection. Designed in 1959 and initially flown in 1962, the Blackbird is the world’s first production aircraft to consistently fly well over three times the speed of sound and was used for the CIA’s secret surveillance missions.
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| • May, 1995
Fleet Week Celebration
11 ships and 10,000 sailors visit Manhattan’s West Side for Fleet Week. One of the visiting ships is the Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, the America (at left). The annual Fleet Week celebration began in 1987 when the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum first invited U.S. Navy ships to visit New York.
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| • November 26, 2003
Concorde joins Collection
The Concorde, a supersonic passenger airplane owned by British Airways, joins the Intrepid Museum collection. Concordes outflew world time zones, crossing the Atlantic in under three hours, or less than half the time of any other jetliner flying the Atlantic even today.
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| • July, 2006
Closing Ceremony
Announcement of closing ceremony with Governor George Pataki
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| • December 5, 2006
Stuck in the Mud
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum temporarily closes to allow refurbishment of the ship and rebuilding of its pier. During the first attempt to tow the ship, the Intrepid becomes immovably stuck in deep mud. The Naval Sea Systems Command and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mobilize to dredge Intrepid out. On the second attempt, three tugboats successfully pull the Intrepid to Bayonne Dry Dock & Repair in New Jersey, where the ship’s hull is repainted and repaired.
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| • June 6, 2007
Drydock
Intrepid is drydocked for the first time in decades, allowing for her most massive overhaul since the 1970s. The ship’s exterior is repaired in Bayonne, New Jersey. She is subsequently moved to Staten Island in June for interior refurbishment and the installation of new exhibits.
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| • October 2, 2008
Intrepid Returns
Intrepid returns to new Pier 86.
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| • November 7, 2008
Growler Towed Home
Growler submarine towed to Pier 86.
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| • April, 2011
Shuttle Announcement
NASA announces Intrepid to be future home of Enterprise.
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| • Spring, 2012
Enterprise to Fly Again
Enterprise to be flown from Washington D.C. to JFK International Airport aboard a 747 NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
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| • 2014 - 2015
A New Home
Enterprise moves to its permanent home in Intrepid’s new Space Center.
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• March 15, 1974
Decommissioning
USS Intrepid was officially decommissioned in a ceremony at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
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• April 27, 1981
Transfer Ceremony
Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman Jr. (on left) officially transfers the Intrepid to the Intrepid Museum Foundation. Intrepid Museum Foundation Chairman of the Board Zachary Fisher (center) and President James R. Ean (right) take part in the transfer ceremony.
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• January 14, 1986
Landmark Designation
Intrepid is designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its role in Pacific battles during World War II.
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• May 26, 1989
Growler Opens
The submarine Growler opens to the public at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Commissioned in 1958, Growler is the only surviving example of a strategic diesel-powered submarine that fired nuclear missiles.
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• November 3, 1993
Swann Awarded Navy Cross
In a ceremony on Intrepid, former crewmember Alonzo Swann is awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during a 1944 kamikaze attack. Along with fellow African-American volunteer gunners, Swann fired at an incoming kamikaze plane that crashed into the ship, killing ten men.
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• September 11, 2001
Return to Service
Intrepid serves as the temporary headquarters for the FBI during the September 11 attack investigations and for several weeks thereafter. Agents field hundreds of thousands of calls from Intrepid, FBI helicopters take off from the Intrepid’s flight deck, and FBI personnel sleep on the ship.
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• October, 2004
Education Center Unvieled
The Michael Tyler Fisher Center for Education opens at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Located at the stern (rear) of the ship, the Center provides a space for education programs and events.
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• September, 2006
Education Program Set Sails
Education programs set sail.
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• January 30, 2007
Pier Renovations
Pier 86 renovation begins
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• April, 2008
Huey Delivered
UH-1A Huey delivered to Staten Island Homeport Pier.
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• November 06, 2008
Time to Celebrate!
Intrepid Returns Gala.
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• November 08, 2008
Intrepid Reopens
Intrepid reopens to the public and hosts Veterans Day Ceremony with President George W. Bush
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• November, 2011
Shuttle Enterprise Coming to Intrepid
NASA transfers ownership of Enterprise to Intrepid Museum
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• Summer, 2012
Space Shuttle Pavillion Open for Visitation
Enterprise transported via barge from JFK to Intrepid’s Pier 86 and placed on our Flight Deck in Space Shuttle Pavilion. Open for public visitation
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