USS Monitor Center at Mariners' Museum and Park
Newport News, Virginia
Square Footage
63,500 SF
Building Type
Cultural
Project Type
Addition
Team
Architect-led
Services Provided
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Design, Construction Administration, Commissioning
Overview
The USS Monitor Center at The Mariners’ Museum and Park is a specialized museum addition designed to house, conserve, and interpret the historic Civil War ironclad USS Monitor. The project includes exhibition galleries, conservation laboratories, and controlled environments required for long-term artifact preservation. Building systems support both public education and the highly sensitive conservation work associated with one of the nation’s most significant naval artifacts.
Challenges
- Designing highly controlled environments to support long-term conservation of historic artifacts recovered from underwater conditions.
- Integrating museum exhibition spaces with active conservation laboratories within a single facility.
- Coordinating complex mechanical and environmental systems to meet strict temperature, humidity, and air quality requirements.
Goals
- Provide a state-of-the-art facility capable of preserving and interpreting the USS Monitor and its artifacts.
- Create engaging public exhibition spaces while supporting behind-the-scenes conservation efforts.
- Ensure precise environmental control to protect sensitive materials and support ongoing research.
Project Team
- Owner: The Mariners' Museum and Park
- Architect: Rancorn Wildman Architects PLC
- Structural: Speight Marshall Francis
- Civil:
- Contractor: W.M. Jordan
Results
- Delivered a purpose-built museum and conservation center tailored to the unique needs of historic artifact preservation.
- Successfully integrated exhibition galleries and conservation laboratories within a cohesive facility design.
- Established long-term environmental stability that supports both public education and artifact conservation.
