United States Coast Guard Academy and Museum
15 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320-4195
(860) 444-8511 (Museum) or 444-8270 (Public Affairs) or 444-8595 (Eagle)
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/museum/museumindex.asp

One of the toughest colleges around, the United States Coast Guard Academy trains the men and women who will serve as leaders in the Coast Guard and other areas of life.

The Coast Guard, probably most famous for its spectacular air and sea rescue operations, is charged with the responsibility of protecting our nation's shores, a concept which extends to law enforcement and hazardous chemical control and environmental safety (such as in repairing the damage done in oil spills). By the end of today the Coast Guard will have saved 12 lives, assisted 315 people, saved $2 million in property, conducted 144 SAR (Search and Rescue) operations, responded to 23 oil or hazardous chemical spills, boarded 90 large vessels for port safety checks, inspected 64 commercial vessels, investigated 17 marine accidents, seized 318 pounds of marijuana and 253 pounds of cocaine, serviced 150 aids to navigation, and interdicted 112 illegal migrants. How's that for a day's work?

The Academy began in 1876 as the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction, with a class of nine cadets. It has since evolved into a major institution producing thousands of professionals in many fields.

A tour of the Academy grounds will give visitors an idea of what is accomplished and how. The United States Coast Guard Museum has collections of ship models from the early days of the Revenue Cutter Service to present day law enforcement patrol boats, and airplane models spanning 75 years of history. Paintings and photographs represent the many missions of the Coast Guard and the history of the Academy. Artifacts from conflicts in which Coast Guardsmen have fought are displayed, covering the Civil War, Spanish American War, WW I and II, and Viet Nam.

Special changing Exhibitions are presented throughout the year. All tours, individual and group, are self-guided. Visiting buses may drive around campus, but not on docks. Note that a government-issued photo ID is required for entrance to the campus.

In addition, the USCGC Eagle, a beautiful cutter and one of the few remaining wind-powered vessels in the world, is open to the public from 1 - 5pm when in port.