Mare Island Foundation

06/14/2026

Your Flag - Incidentally, the daughter of Francis Scott Key is buried in the Mare Island cemetery

Our nation’s flag, the beautiful emblem of our country, was born with the Flag Act which was passed by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

06/08/2026

Two stained glass windows hang in the oldest naval chapel in America at Mare Island — one a rare Tiffany glass, the other a biblical triptych. Both honor men whose lives were intertwined in ways that shaped the U.S. Navy from its very first days. One family produced five generations of admirals spanning the Barbary Wars, the Civil War, the first American submarine fleet, and a pilot who crashed a flying boat 220 miles short of Hawaii and sailed the wreckage 450 miles across the open Pacific to survive. The other man went to sea at nine, commanded a warship at twelve, survived one of the bloodiest naval battles of the War of 1812 at thirteen — and was nearly denied his promotion by the very family whose legacy he would one day complete. This is the story of the Rodgers Dynasty, Admiral Farragut, and the Mare Island flagpole that stood for 167 years as the oldest artifact of American sea power on the Pacific Coast. Full article in our History Vault https://www.tumblr.com/mareislandfoundation/818463953401364480/an-american-naval-dynasty

06/01/2026

This episode of The Island Deep Dive explores the remarkable story of when thousands gathered at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1908 to celebrate the launch of the giant collier USS Prometheus—a day of speeches, patriotic excitement, and what was supposed to be a grand public luncheon. But within hours, hundreds of guests became violently ill in one of California’s most shocking mass food-poisoning outbreaks of the era, triggering investigations, quarantines, and statewide headlines. If you enjoyed this video, discover more about this unforgettable moment in our History Vault: https://www.tumblr.com/mareislandfoundation/744598558983028736/poisoned-celebration

05/28/2026

Join us for an afternoon of live jazz inside the historic St. Peter’s Chapel on Mare Island. Local ensemble Good Karma brings together jazz and funk originals with modern and classic standards for a performance that is both relaxing and uplifting.

Their repertoire spans generations and styles — from Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Herbie Hancock — alongside original compositions inspired by these jazz greats.

Surrounded by the stunning Tiffany stained glass windows of St. Peter’s Chapel, guests will experience live music in one of Mare Island’s most unique historic spaces. Doors open early so visitors can explore the chapel interior before the performance begins.

Sunday, June 28, 2026
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Doors Open at 2:30 PM

St. Peter’s Chapel
1181 Walnut Ave
Vallejo, CA 94592

Tickets
$20 General Admission (Advance)
$25 General Admission (At the Door)
$18 Members

No physical tickets will be issued. Check-in will be by name at the door.

ADA NOTICE: St. Peter’s Chapel is a contributing element of the Mare Island Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark (NRIS Number: 75002103). Due to its historic significance, the building is not wheelchair accessible (28 C.F.R. 35.150(A)(2)).

For additional information, please visit MIHPF.org.

Click here for an update from Mare Island Historic Park Foundation!

05/27/2026

At the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation, we’re always looking for new ways to preserve and share the stories of Mare Island with broader audiences. From narrated historical tours and oral histories to accessible educational materials and multilingual interpretation, audio storytelling has the power to bring history to life in a more immersive and inclusive way.

We’re excited about the possibilities of using AI voice technology to help preserve the voices, stories, and legacy connected to Mare Island’s historic spaces like St. Peter’s Chapel and beyond.

05/26/2026

Dear Friends of Mare Island,

Mare Island holds a rare place in American history. As the first U.S. Navy shipyard on the West Coast, it operated for more than 140 years and played a critical role in shipbuilding, naval innovation, and national defense. Preserving this history requires continuous care.

The Mare Island Historic Park Foundation is dedicated to maintaining historic structures, protecting artifacts, and ensuring future generations can experience and learn from Mare Island’s legacy. Membership support directly sustains:

• Preservation of historic buildings, including St. Peter’s Chapel
• Care and conservation of Navy artifacts and archives
• Educational programs and public tours
• Ongoing restoration efforts

Membership is a meaningful way to contribute to this work and stay connected to the story of Mare Island.

As a member, you receive:

• Invitations to member gatherings and programs
• Discounts on tours and Foundation events
• Updates on preservation projects
• The satisfaction of actively supporting Mare Island’s future

We also offer the Legacy Gift Membership Program, which is an opportunity to make a gift that endures beyond a single year. This option includes all benefits of our basic membership, plus a personalized gift card and certificate and a special uncirculated commemorative coin celebrating Mare Island’s history — making it a meaningful way to honor someone you care about while supporting preservation in the long term.

Please choose one of the options below:

Membership Options
• Annual Membership (starting at $25/year)
• Legacy Gift Membership Program — a thoughtful gift and lasting contribution

Your support helps ensure Mare Island’s history remains protected, maintained, and accessible.

Thank you for being part of this important stewardship.

Warm regards,
Mare Island Historic Park Foundation

Click here for an update from Mare Island Historic Park Foundation!

05/25/2026

From Sputnik and the terrifying arithmetic of Mutually Assured Destruction to the silent patrols of the “41 for Freedom,” The Shield Beneath the Sea: Mare Island and the Nuclear Standoff tells the remarkable story of how the workers of Mare Island Naval Shipyard helped prevent nuclear war during the Cold War. Between 1958 and 1972, Mare Island built 17 nuclear submarines — nearly one in five of all U.S. nuclear submarines commissioned during that era — including seven Polaris ballistic missile submarines that formed the backbone of America’s sea-based deterrent. This new illustrated article explores the strategy, technology, and human effort behind the submarines that kept the peace from beneath the sea. Read the full article in our History Vault: https://www.tumblr.com/mareislandfoundation/817358484441055232/the-shield-beneath-the-sea-mare-island-and-the

05/22/2026

GROUP TOURS

For our visitors looking for a more personalized experience, we also offer private group tours customized to your interests. Whether you’re part of a hiking club, walking group, photography group, senior organization, homeschool community, or simply gathering friends together, we welcome groups of all kinds to explore Mare Island’s unique history. Discounted group rates and tailored tour experiences are available. To learn more or schedule a group tour, please contact Lynn Anderson ([email protected])

Click here for an update from Mare Island Historic Park Foundation!

05/18/2026

This episode of The Island Deep Dive explores the remarkable journey of the legendary O’Kane cribbage board, an enduring symbol of submarine tradition that has been passed from one U.S. Navy submarine to the next for generations. Originating from the wartime exploits of USS Wahoo and later USS Tang, the board became a cherished artifact tied to luck, leadership, and the legacy of Admiral Richard O’Kane. True to its name, the board has continued to “roll” through history, transferring between boats as they are decommissioned, ensuring the story and spirit of the Silent Service live on. If you enjoyed this video, see more information about this unforgettable moment in our History Vault: https://www.tumblr.com/mareislandfoundation/745215259168636928/like-a-rolling-stone

05/14/2026

Join us for an afternoon of music inside the historic St. Peter’s Chapel on Mare Island as the award-winning American Canyon High School Choir presents *A Soundtrack of the Year* — a moving musical retrospective celebrating their year together.

This special performance will feature a diverse selection of choral works spanning centuries and styles, from late-Renaissance motets to powerful American spirituals. Known for their musical excellence and performances alongside the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra and Napa Valley Youth Symphony, the American Canyon High School Chamber Choir brings exceptional talent and artistry to one of Mare Island’s most beautiful and acoustically rich spaces.

Sunday, May 17
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
St. Peter’s Chapel, Mare Island

Advance Tickets: $12
At the Door: $15
MIHPF Members: $10

Please note: St. Peter’s Chapel is not ADA accessible. Steps are required to enter and move throughout the space.

Click here for an update from Mare Island Historic Park Foundation!