USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) battleship
Also known as: "Wisky"; VDHR No. 122-5414
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Why it's listed
USS Wisconsin is an Iowa-class battleship, 887 feet long, laid down in 1941 at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and launched on December 7, 1943. Today she serves as a museum ship in Norfolk, Virginia. Her main armament is three triple 16-inch gun turrets, protected by an armored citadel, and she retains her original hull, profile and power plant. Her bow came from the unfinished USS Kentucky after a 1956 collision with the destroyer Eaton. A 1986-1988 modernization added Tomahawk and Harpoon missile launchers and altered much of the interior and equipment. Wisconsin served in World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War, providing gunfire support in each. In 1991 her commanding officer served as the Navy's strike warfare commander for Tomahawk missile attacks on Iraq, and she fired 26 missiles. The listing recognizes her role in maritime and military history and her engineering as one of the last four American battleships built.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues for national significance under Criterion A in Maritime and Military History for service in World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War, especially her role as strike director for Tomahawk missile attacks in 1991. It also cites Criterion C for engineering as a late example of American battleship design. Criteria Consideration G is addressed because her greatest significance dates from 1986 to 1991.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 12000178, listed March 28, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1 Waterside Dr., Norfolk (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk |
| Listed | March 28, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000178 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | January 25, 1941-July 1, 1948; March 3, 1951-March 8, 1958; July 1, 1986-September 30, 1991 |
| Architect / builder | Hull designed by the United States Navy Bureau of Construction and Repair; weapons and armor by Bureau of Ordnance; machinery by Bureau of Engineering. Constructed at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania |
| Architectural style | Iowa-class battleship |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Maritime History, Military, Engineering |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as a museum (recreation and culture); the ship is stripped of modern weapons and electronics, with some mounts remaining. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.85029, -76.29495 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 12000178.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1265287
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.