United States Naval Academy

Photos Map Information: Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center: 410-293-TOUR Only vehicles with DoD stickers or handicapped tags may enter through Gate 1 on King George Street. Cars may park at the city lots or at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium parking lot. The pedestrian entrance is on Prince George Street. All visitors 16 and older must have a photo ID. Center Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily from March to December and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. January and February. Tour Hours (may vary by season): 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday Tour Ticket Prices: $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors (62+), $6.50 for children 1st-12th grades, free for preschoolers. All tickets will increase in price by 50 cents starting in 2009. Groups of 16 or more must make reservations in advance. http://www.usna.edu/visit.htm Athletic Events: 800-US4-NAVY Ticket Information Facilities Information Related: Current stories Video - 2009 graduation ceremony Video - 2009 graduation ceremony - Obama's address Slideshow - 2009 USNA graduation ceremony Video - 2009 Herndon Monument Climb Slideshow - 2009 Herndon Monument climb Video - 2009 Sea Trials Slideshow - 2009 Sea Trials Advertisement

Founded in 1845 in an Army fort, the United States Naval Academy has grown to fill a 238-acre campus located just north of downtown Annapolis, at the mouth of the Severn River.

About 10,000 students and enlisted personnel apply to the academy each year to fill about 1,200 openings in the freshman, or plebe, class. The student body, or Brigade of Midshipmen, numbers about 4,400. The midshipmen are instructed by a faculty whose 600-plus members are roughly split between civilians and military officers. After completing a four-year course of study, midshipmen must serve five years as a Navy or Marine Corps officer.

Over a million visitors a year come to the academy, which is a National Historic Site.

With its soaring copper dome, the grand main Chapel is the architectural centerpiece of the Yard, as academy grounds are called. John Paul Jones, the United States' first naval hero, is buried in a crypt beneath the sanctuary.

Memorial Hall and a sample midshipman's room are open to the public. The hall is part of sprawling Bancroft Hall — one of the world's largest dormitories. Memorial Hall contains several rolls of honor, including lists of academy grads who were killed in action or who received the Medal of Honor.

A popular spot has been the Naval Academy Museum, packed with academy lore, exquisite model ships and mementos of American naval history. The museum is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in the fall of 2009.

The brigade holds a lunchtime formation weekdays, weather permitting, in Tecumseh Court in front of Bancroft Hall.

Visitors may watch the brigade's formal dress parades on Worden Field, held on various occasions in the spring, summer and fall.

The academy also hosts concerts and plays, some free; visit our events calendar for listings.

For more information about the Naval Academy call the public affairs office at 410-293-2292.