Polar Exploration
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.

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-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-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-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-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-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-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.
