U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps Exhibit
The Navy Memorial Museum (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy) had a small exhibit area to honor U.S. Navy Chaplains for two decades. On November 28, 1775, the Chaplain Corps was established. Through 1975-1978, celebrations were held in various Washington, D.C. locations, including the Washington Navy Yard, to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Chaplain Corps and the United States Bicentennial. Below are some brochures from these commemorations.
202th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps Pamphlet. Front cover. Joint commemoration by the Washington Navy Yard Chapel and the Navy Memorial Museum, November 16, 1977. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Archives Collection.
The Navy Memorial Museum's U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps exhbiit was as follows:
NMUSN-8: Navy Memorial Museum (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy), Chaplain’s Exhibit. This black and white photograph shows one of the cases utilized for the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps exhibit on display at the museum for a couple of decades, circa 1970s. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph.
NMUSN-4561 (Color): Navy Memorial Museum (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy), Chaplain’s Exhibit. This color photograph shows one of the cases utilized for the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps exhibit on display at the museum for a couple of decades, circa 1970s. Original is a Polaroid. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph.
NMUSN-4562 (Color): Navy Memorial Museum (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy), Chaplain’s Exhibit. This color photograph shows one of the cases utilized for the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps exhibit on display at the museum for a couple of decades, circa 1970s. Original is a Polaroid. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph.
Navy Memorial Museum (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy), Chaplain’s Exhibit. This black and white photograph shows one of the cases utilized for the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps exhibit on display at the museum for a couple of decades, circa 1970s. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph, NMUSN-Photo-8.
Artifacts
Two Crucifixes
Two sets of altar cloths
Chaplain’s Kit for Jewish service
Chaplain’s Kit for Christian service
Plaster Model of Stone Bass Carved in Washington Cathedral
Unspecified Ship’s Bell (for baptisms)
One Thurible (a metal censer suspended from chains. Incense is burned inside during services)
One Incense Boat
Pair of brass candlesticks
Baptismal font
Two chalices
Artwork
Painted Mural backdrop for divine worship at sea
Textiles
Four Bibles
Three Prayer Books
Letter dated 1770 from Commodore Esek Hopkins to the Reverend Samuel Hopkins
Photo and Biography of Chaplain Thomas David Parham, Jr.
Copy of the Navy Hymn
Uniforms
Should Boards, Jewish and Christian
One set of (green) Catholic vestments
Washington Navy Yard Chapel. Sea Services Sundays pamphlet. Services of Worship for Sea Service Personnel and Families in the Washington, D.C. area, circa 1977-1978. U.S. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Archives Collection.
Bicentennial Religious Pamphlet by Naval District Washington, July 4, 1976. U.S. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Archives Collection.
