A Day in 1976, A Legacy in 2026
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC (2026 January 27) - As a longtime and valued partner of Charleston Race Week at Patriot’s Point, the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum plays a central role in shaping the character and setting of our event. As the museum celebrates the 50th anniversary of its original opening in 1976, we’re proud to help share this milestone moment and congratulate the entire Patriots Point team on five decades of preserving history, service, and community connection. Below is a feature originally published by Patriots Point, marking the start of their anniversary year.
On January 3, 2026, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum didn’t just mark a milestone, it invited the community to step back in time. Throwback Day kicked off the museum’s 50th anniversary year by celebrating its original opening in 1976, blending nostalgia with hands-on moments that made history feel personal.
In true throwback fashion, admission for the day was just $2 — the same price paid by visitors half a century ago. Families, veterans, longtime supporters, and first-time guests explored the decks of the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey, toured exhibits across the campus, and soaked in the celebratory atmosphere. A commemorative ribbon-cutting, anniversary cake, and storytelling from museum historians and staff helped bring five decades of memories to life.
Throughout the day, guests were invited to take part in interactive experiences that celebrated both past and present. Photo opportunities encouraged visitors to capture their Throwback Day moments, while digital memory boards and an antique phone allowed guests to share their own Patriots Point stories, adding new voices to the museum’s living history. Guests were gifted special Charting 50-themed merchandise, donned Charting 50 buttons, and one clear fan favorite emerged: Jumping Joe, a stress-relief figurine modeled after a naval airman that quickly became the hottest souvenir of the day.
The significance of Patriots Point’s role in the community was echoed by Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie, who noted, “What Patriots Point brings to the town of Mount Pleasant, the state of South Carolina, and the United States, is a place where you can actually touch history and be around the qualities that make this country great.”
A highlight of Throwback Day was the debut of Charting 50 Years, a new anniversary exhibit that traces the museum’s journey from the Yorktown’s arrival in 1975 to the vibrant, multi-ship campus visitors know today. Through photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, the exhibit celebrates the milestones and people who shape Patriots Point.
Throwback Day didn’t just look back — it set the tone for the year ahead. With its 50th anniversary now officially underway, Patriots Point is charting a course filled with special moments that honor where the museum has been and the stories waiting to be told.
Patriots Point Executive Director, Allison Hunt, and Mayor of Mount Pleasant, Will Haynie, cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening of the Charting 50 Years exhibit.
