Treasures of NOAA’s Ark

A traveling exhibition, Treasures of NOAA’s Ark explores the history of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and how the agency, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has impacted people across the nation and world. As the organization has evolved and grown over the years, NOAA has become an international leader on scientific and environmental issues.

The roots of NOAA date back to 1807 during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency when the country’s first scientific agency was established (originally called the Survey of the Coast) to map the nation’s coastline and produce nautical charts to keep mariners safe. Since its inception, the organization has been dedicated to coastal navigation and surveying, studying, and analyzing fisheries, maritime heritage, weather, environmental science, and hurricanes. Today, NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts; to share that knowledge and information with others; and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.

In the spirit of sharing this knowledge and information, Treasures of NOAA’s Ark features artifacts like 18th-century maps and early scientific instruments. The exhibition highlights NOAA’s legacy of science, service, and stewardship and explores how we are all connected to the environment.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website