The Dahlgren Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. The Dahlgren center (NSWCDD) was founded on October 16, 1918, as the U.S. Naval Proving Ground, a place to test guns and ammunition. Since then, it has evolved into a premier naval and scientific research and development institution.
The Dahlgren Heritage Museum features information and exhibits showcasing the scientific and technological contributions of the U.S. Navy that took place there. In the museum’s “Pioneers of the 20th Century” exhibit, visitors learn about the important contributions of people of color such as the mathematician Dr. Gladys West, whose work contributed to the creation of the Global Positioning System or GPS, and Dr. Charles Cohen, who helped confirm the shape of the gravity field that encircles the world.
For more information about the museum’s permanent collections and special events, go to www.dahlgrenmuseum.org.
