Mr. Christopher Nardi, curator of the world’s largest naval ship museum, will visit the Mattapoisett Historical Museum on Sunday, March 18 at 2 pm to discuss the history and war tales of the USS Massachusetts. This 36,000 ton piece of local history was built in Quincy in 1941 just in time for the Second World War in which she was involved in major engagements in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war. The “Big Mamie” took part in the Iwo Jima invasion, landings in the Leyte Gulf, and had engagements at Okinawa, the Marshall Islands, and the Philippines. In addition, she was surprised by a major typhoon while at sea.
Mr. Nardi will be present to share a unique presentation on the USS Massachusetts discussing her history, sharing a few of her war stories, and how she came to be a wonderful piece of American and state history, earning status as a National Historic Landmark and flagship of the Battleship Cove museum. Admission is free.