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Great Lakes Naval Museum to be renamed National Museum of the American Sailor

The Great Lakes Naval Museum will be officially renamed the National Museum of the American Sailor during a ceremony on Monday.

Top Navy and local officials will be joined by representatives from the Great Lakes Naval Museum Foundation and National Museum of the American Sailor Foundation to unveil the new sign in front of the museum.

“Dedicated to telling the story of anyone who has ever worn the Navy uniform, this building will do more than house history,” said retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command in a news release sent Friday.

The name change signals a shift from a regional focus to one that depicts the diverse history of sailors who have served in the U.S. Navy. It also reflects the interests of museum visitors, many of whom travel from across the country to attend the basic training graduations at the Navy's Recruit Training Command.

The National Museum of the American Sailor features exhibits on life in Navy boot camp, naval uniforms and traditions, the history of Naval Station Great Lakes, the role of diversity in the Navy and the role of women in the Navy.

Over the next two years, the museum will expand its exhibits to introduce visitors to the overall history and role of the U.S. Navy and the experiences of American sailors in the past and today. A new $40 million facility for that purpose has been proposed as an anchor to the long-sought Sheridan Crossing entertainment district.

The museum is in Building 42 just outside the perimeter of Naval Station Great Lakes east of Sheridan Road in North Chicago.

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