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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 E. 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

Additional Resources:
Polar Exploration

Below are some photographs of the exhibit over the years.   


NMUSN_Exhibit_Polar Card

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


NMUSN-2608: Polar Exhibit, late 1970s. Rear Admiral Robert Byrd mannequin is positioned in a winter jacket along with a penguin by his side. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-2608:   Polar Exhibit, late 1970s.    Rear Admiral Robert Byrd mannequin is positioned in a winter jacket along with a penguin by his side.   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-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-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.


NMUSN-2157 (Color): Polar Exhibit, 1984. Two cyclometers used by the team of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd during his missions to the continent. This artifact was on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-2157 (Color):  Polar Exhibit, 1984.    Two cyclometers used by the team of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd during his missions to the continent.   This artifact was on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.    National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.  


NMUSN-2162 (Color): Polar Exhibit, 1984. Playing cards and matches used by Finn Ronne of the team of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd during his missions to the continent. This artifact was on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-2162 (Color):  Polar Exhibit, 1984.    Playing cards and matches used by Finn Ronne of the team of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd during his missions to the continent.   This artifact was on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.    National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.  


NMUSN-2182 (Color): Polar Exhibit, 1984. Telescope. These artifacts were on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-2182 (Color):  Polar Exhibit, 1984.    Telescope.    These artifacts were on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.    National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.  


NMUSN-2184 (Color): Polar Exhibit, 1984. Arctic Mittens. These artifacts were on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-2184 (Color):  Polar Exhibit, 1984.    Arctic Mittens.    These artifacts were on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.    National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.  


NMUSN-2191 (Color): Polar Exhibit, 1984. First Aid Kit. These artifacts were on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-2191 (Color):  Polar Exhibit, 1984.    First Aid Kit.    These artifacts were on display when the exhibit was a permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.    National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.  


NMUSN-3319 (Color): Polar Exhibit, 1990s. Penguins shown on top of the exhibit. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.

NMUSN-3319 (Color):  Polar Exhibit, 1990s.   Penguins shown on top of the exhibit.    National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.  


NMUSN-473 (Color): Repainting of the Museum’s Ceiling, 2000. Facing north and looking at the former Polar Exploration and Navigation spaces then further into the In Harm’s Way: World War II exhibit. Note the cardboard covering on the museum’s floor. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph.

NMUSN-473 (Color):   Repainting of the Museum’s Ceiling, 2000.   Facing north and looking at the former Polar Exploration and Navigation spaces then further into the In Harm’s Way: World War II exhibit.   Note the cardboard covering on the museum’s floor.  National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. 


NMUSN-5238 (Color): Fish Eye View of the Navy Museum, April 2004. View shows the Polar Exploration and Navigation areas of the museum. These were both dismantled during the 2018-2020 time-frame to make way for new exhibits for the New National Museum of the U.S. Navy. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-5238 (Color):  Fish Eye View of the Navy Museum, April 2004.    View shows the Polar Exploration and Navigation areas of the museum.   These were both dismantled during the 2018-2020 time-frame to make way for new exhibits for the New National Museum of the U.S. Navy.   National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.   
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Published: Fri Jun 30 11:53:18 EDT 2023