Over the past 50 years, Patriots Point has evolved significantly, with a growing collection of ships, aircraft, and exhibits shaping the museum visitors’ experience. Among its most recognizable icons are the USS Yorktown, the USS Laffey, and the Vietnam Experience, all of which have served as cornerstones of the site for decades. As part of Patriots Point’s “Charting 50 Years” celebration, let’s look back at how these key additions became part of the museum and the role they have played in its history.
The first ship to join the fleet was the USS Yorktown (CV-10), which sailed into Charleston Harbor in 1975. Its arrival marked the culmination of years of effort by both the State of South Carolina and the Yorktown Association. Following the ship’s final decommissioning in 1970, the Yorktown Association sought an opportunity to preserve the historic aircraft carrier, while South Carolina was exploring the creation of a naval and maritime museum as part of the nation’s upcoming bicentennial celebrations.
In May 1975, the United States Navy sold the USS Yorktown to the State of South Carolina for one dollar. Patriots Point staff then worked to prepare the ship for public opening, while members of the Yorktown Association brought in artifacts and archival materials to create the museum’s first displays. With its opening, the USS Yorktown became the first aircraft carrier preserved as a museum.
Over time, the fleet at Patriots Point continued to grow. In 1981, the Allen M. Sumner–class destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724) was transferred to the museum. Like the Yorktown Association before them, the Laffey Association had been seeking a way to preserve their ship following its decommissioning in 1975. Working together with Patriots Point, their efforts were ultimately successful. As Captain Becton famously remarked, “Laffey, the ship that would not die, did not die.”
Many of the same veterans who played a role in preserving the USS Laffey were present to welcome the ship to Patriots Point—some even riding onboard as it was brought into place alongside the USS Yorktown. Today, the USS Laffey remains the only preserved Allen M. Sumner–class destroyer operating as a museum ship.
During the 1980s, Patriots Point also began conceptual work on what would become the Vietnam Support Base. The exhibit was designed to recreate a naval support base operating during the height of the Vietnam War, complete with helicopters and a PBR (Patrol Boat, River). Museum staff aimed to present visitors with an authentic portrayal of daily life for those stationed in Vietnam. One original proposal described the goal as showing “just the plain hard facts of daily operation and how they endured.”
Initially planned under the tagline “Somewhere, South Vietnam,” the exhibit was intended to represent the many support bases used during the war rather than focusing on a single location. During the 2010s, the support base underwent significant expansion and improvement. With that growth came a name change, as the Vietnam Support Base became the Vietnam Experience, reflecting its broader scope and expanded interpretation of the Vietnam War.
Together, the USS Yorktown, the USS Laffey, and the Vietnam Experience reflect Patriots Point’s long-standing commitment to preservation, education, and honoring those who served. Today, these landmarks stand as reminders of how collaboration and shared history helped shape Patriots Point.