Tour and Tea at the U.S. Naval Academy in Historic Annapolis, Maryland
 

     The United States Naval Academy (1845) in Annapolis Maryland is the four year undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.  The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center provides public and group guided walking tours of the Academy.   One of the most unique tours, available only to groups of 16 or more, is the USNA Tour and Tea. 

     Available Monday through Wednesday, beginning at 1 p.m., the tour focuses on the history and architecture of the Academy.  In the late 1890s, American architect, Ernest Flagg, was hired to design the “new” Naval Academy.  Construction began in 1899 and was completed in 1908.  Flagg studied architecture at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.  Buildings throughout the “the Yard” are constructed in this modified 17^th century French Renaissance style architecture.  Featured buildings on the tour are Main Chapel, with its crypt and sarcophagus of John Paul Jones, and Naval Academy Club, where tea is served. 

     Main Chapel was built in two sections:  The first was designed by Ernest Flagg and constructed between 1904 and 1908.  The Nave was added in 1939-40 and increased the capacity to 2,500.  Inside the Chapel are magnificent stained glass windows by Tiffany Studios.  The crypt of John Paul Jones, Revolutionary War naval hero, is located beneath the Chapel.  It features a 21-ton sarcophagus designed by Sylvain Salieres and is constructed with Pyrenees marble.  The sarcophagus rests on four bronze dolphins with the names of the ships Jones commanded surrounding it.

     Following the walking tour, a curator of the USNA Museum will conduct a personalized tour of the museum or the ship models collection.  The exhibit “Ship Models from the Age of Sail” contains more than 50 dock yard models from the 17^th, 18^th and early 19^th centuries.

     The piece de resistance of this Naval Academy experience is tea at The Club, served with tea sandwiches, scones and savories.  Each tour participant will take home mementoes of their Naval Academy experience, including a postcard book and souvenir gift.

     The USNA Tour and Tea, which costs $50 per person, begins at the Visitor Center.  Motorcoaches may obtain entrance to Academy grounds with prior arrangement.  Parking is not permitted in the Yard, but parking is available at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, one mile away, for $10 per day. 

     Tours are confirmed with a signed agreement and deposit of $50.  Final payment is due two weeks prior to the tour date.  For more information and to book a USNA Tour and Tea, phone (410) 293-8687 or go online to www.navyonline.com and fill out the online reservation form. 

Tour and Tea at the U.S. Naval Academy in Historic Annapolis, Maryland

     The United States Naval Academy (1845) in Annapolis Maryland is the four year undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.  The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center provides public and group guided walking tours of the Academy.   One of the most unique tours, available only to groups of 16 or more, is the USNA Tour and Tea. 

     Available Monday through Wednesday, beginning at 1 p.m., the tour focuses on the history and architecture of the Academy.  In the late 1890s, American architect, Ernest Flagg, was hired to design the “new” Naval Academy.  Construction began in 1899 and was completed in 1908.  Flagg studied architecture at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.  Buildings throughout the “the Yard” are constructed in this modified 17^th century French Renaissance style architecture.  Featured buildings on the tour are Main Chapel, with its crypt and sarcophagus of John Paul Jones, and Naval Academy Club, where tea is served.

     Main Chapel was built in two sections:  The first was designed by Ernest Flagg and constructed between 1904 and 1908.  The Nave was added in 1939-40 and increased the capacity to 2,500.  Inside the Chapel are magnificent stained glass windows by Tiffany Studios.  The crypt of John Paul Jones, Revolutionary War naval hero, is located beneath the Chapel.  It features a 21-ton sarcophagus designed by Sylvain Salieres and is constructed with Pyrenees marble.  The sarcophagus rests on four bronze dolphins with the names of the ships Jones commanded surrounding it.

     Following the walking tour, a curator of the USNA Museum will conduct a personalized tour of the museum or the ship models collection.  The exhibit “Ship Models from the Age of Sail” contains more than 50 dock yard models from the 17^th, 18^th and early 19^th centuries.

     The piece de resistance of this Naval Academy experience is tea at The Club, served with tea sandwiches, scones and savories.  Each tour participant will take home mementoes of their Naval Academy experience, including a postcard book and souvenir gift.

     The USNA Tour and Tea, which costs $50 per person, begins at the Visitor Center.  Motorcoaches may obtain entrance to Academy grounds with prior arrangement.  Parking is not permitted in the Yard, but parking is available at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, one mile away, for $10 per day. 

     Tours are confirmed with a signed agreement and deposit of $50.  Final payment is due two weeks prior to the tour date.  For more information and to book a USNA Tour and Tea, phone (410) 293-8687 or go online to www.navyonline.com and fill out the online reservation form.

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