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Polar Exploration 

Flight at the South Pole by Robert Carlin depicts Admiral Byrd's journey, circa 1933-35
Flight at the South Pole by Robert Carlin depicts Admiral Byrd's journey, circa 1933-35

Items belonging to Admiral Richard Byrd and Captain Finn Ronne highlight the history of polar exploration in this exhibit. The Navy began exploring the Arctic and Antarctic in the 1840s. Visitors will understand the hardships endured by those who journeyed to the polar regions for months at a time to research the area.

Interesting artifacts in the Polar Exploration exhibit include:

  • Telescope and theodolite (a surveying instrument) belonging to Robert Scott
  • Items commemorating Richard Byrd's 1928 trip to South Pole
  • Hut and equipment from Richard Byrd's second and later expeditions to Antarctica
  • Finn Ronne's personal equipment used in 1947-1948 expedition
  • Navy Global Survival Kit
  • Sled - 2 places - and skis used during later 1950's Antarctic expeditions
  • Antarctic rock 

NMUSN_Exhibit_Polar Card

Event Card for the Polar Exhibit.   National Museum of the U.S. Navy Archives. 


NMUSN-45: Aerial of the Polar Exhibit Area. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-45:  Aerial of the Polar Exhibit Area.   National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection. 


NMUSN-46: Byrd Hut at the Polar Exploration Exhibit. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-46:  Byrd Hut at the Polar Exploration Exhibit.  National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection. 


NMUSN-47: Military Visitors at the Polar Exploration Exhibit. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-47:  Military Visitors at the Polar Exploration Exhibit.   National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection. 


NMUSN-48: Interior of Byrd Hut, Polar Exploration Exhibit. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-48:  Interior of Byrd Hut, Polar Exploration Exhibit.   National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection. 


NMUSN-49: Interior of Byrd Hut, Polar Exploration Exhibit. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-49:  Interior of Byrd Hut, Polar Exploration Exhibit.   National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

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Published: Mon Jul 26 08:23:58 EDT 2021