Five Fun Facts from the USS Albacore Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

In 1953, a submarine named Albacore left Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, engineered with state-of-the-art features making her a far superior test platform than anything Tom Clancy could later dream up. Albacore was the first with the cylindrical hull that is now the hallmark design for submarines. Albacore was also the first to pioneer many details that now characterize the nuclear submarine fleet.

Amazingly enough, USS Albacore (AGSS 569) was the first boat built specifically to operate underwater. Albacore was the first sub capable of sustained progress while submerged. Her streamlined shape and high capacity silver-zinc battery allowed her to travel at 35 knots, compared to the 8 knots of her WWII predecessors. In 1966, she set the record as the world's fastest submarine at an underwater speed of nearly 40 miles per hour. Outfitted with a double counter-rotating set of propellers, she was the first submarine to adopt the signature single prop design.

On May 15, 1985, Albacore returned to Portsmouth and is now dry-docked in Albacore Park. Visitors can come aboard for audio tours that explain how Albacore works, as well as the work of the soldiers and officers.

Here are Five Fun Facts from the USS Albacore Museum:

First Vessel Built to Operate Submerged. Albacore was the first vessel specifically built to operate submerged. Horace L. Hunley invented the submarine in the 19th century, and the Confederate sub named for him was launched in 1863. Theodore Roosevelt submerged in a U.S. Navy submarine at Oyster Bay, Long Island, in 1905. The Silent Service made extraordinary contributions to winning World War II, with courageous action against the German navy on the North Atlantic and bold moves against the Japanese in the Pacific. But all of these submarines were built as surface vessels that could be submerged.

Albacore Built for Navy Research, Not Combat. While the submarine was built for Navy research and not for combat, 86 men lost their lives in service on Albacore. Approximately 300 men served aboard the Albacore and still gather for reunions. The site is maintained by Friends of the Albacore and the Port of Portsmouth Maritime Museum Association.

Submarine Memorial Park. The Submarine Memorial Park honors all who served on U.S. Navy submarines. Each year on Memorial Day, there is a memorial service for sailors “still on patrol.”

Moving the Albacore from Sea to Dry Land. Moving the Albacore to her current location was an engineering challenge of its own. Twenty-five years ago, a tug eased the 1,200-ton submarine from the shipyard through a dismantled railroad bridge and a cut made in the four-lane road that now passes the park. Thousands of people, including the secretary of the Navy, watched. It took from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to get her close to her final position. The last few feet had to wait for the tide to float her in place.

National Historic Landmark. Not many people know that National Historic Landmarks are not always buildings. Portsmouth has seven National Historic Landmarks: six are buildings, and one is the submarine Albacore.

Photos top to bottom: Photos courtesy of Stephanie Seacord. The unique cylindrical hull shape for submarines was pioneered by Albacore. Submarine Memorial Park. View of Albacore with backdrop of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where the latest USS New Hampshire SSN 778 was commissioned.

Gozaic of the Week: Greenfield Village

Be prepared to say “Wow.” Because the smorgasbord of history you will experience in Greenfield Village is truly amazing. The indoor-outdoor history complex, opened in 1929 in a suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, presents a kaleidoscope of historic buildings, famous artifacts and amazing stories that fascinate visitors from one to 100.

Greenfield Village is one of five venues of the Henry Ford Museum, which began as the personal collection of engineer, inventor and entrepreneur Henry Ford. “I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done,” said Ford. Greenfield Village captures the inventions and stories of these people.

What You’ll See
The Wright brothers’ bicycle shop and home. Ford’s prototype garage, where he built the quadricycle. An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. The rocking chair from Ford’s Theater, where President Lincoln was sitting when he was shot; the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat; and the Sunshine Special used during World War II to chauffeur President Roosevelt.

You can cheer for a historic baseball game, played by 1867 rules. Investigate the only working late-19th century railroad roundhouse in the Midwest. Visit the tiny courthouse where Lincoln first practiced law. Ride an antique carousel. And select a meal from an 1850s menu at the Eagle Tavern, a historic stagecoach stop.

Visit Tips
Greenfield Village has 81 acres filled with awesome experiences for children and adults. The village is open rain or shine, but closes from Jan. 1 - April 14. You can easily spend all day discovering the treasures in the seven historic districts.

- At Railroad Junction, a steam-powered rail line offers old-fashioned rides.

- Firestone Farm makes the soul of 19-century America come alive with wagons, livestock and fields of ripening vegetables.

- Edison at Work invites you into the great inventor’s Menlo Park complex at the moment he develops the lightbulb.

- Porches and Parlors lets you visit the 1650s Plymton House, the 1750s Daggett Farmhouse and other early dwellings.

- Experience Liberty Craftworks at a time when everyday products were created by skilled artisans in the glass shop, printing office, gristmill and tin shop.

- Stroll down Main Street and visualize the hub of hometown commerce.

- Visit the farmhouse where Henry Ford was born, see where he invented his
world-changing Model T and take a test ride.

Have you visited Greenfield Village? Write a review or share photos on Gozaic.

Gozaic (go-ZAY-ik). Noun. 1) The name of a website, Gozaic.com. 2) The fusion of “go,” for travel and the mosaic of heritage and culture. 3) The mosaic of images to illustrate the dimensions of a featured heritage or cultural destination.

More Ideas for Labor Day Events and Activities! (Part 2)

Holy moon pie! Here at Gozaic, we haven’t run out of ways to send summer packing in memorable style (Part 1). A variety of events and festivals can be found around the country, and some of our favorites are listed here. But really, can it get any better than a moon pie eating contest?!

19th Annual Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest
Birmingham, Alabama, Sept. 6, 2010
On Labor Day, participate in Alabama’s largest moon pie eating contest and compete for prize money at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. Across the park, the United Mine Workers hold their annual Birmingham District Labor Day celebration. There’s plenty of good barbecue and some “singing and picking!”

Threshermen’s Reunion & Parade
Pontiac, Illinois, Sept. 2-5, 2010
Step back in time at the Central States Threshermen's Reunion in Pontiac, Illinois, held annually over Labor Day weekend. Come see and experience traditional events, including rock crushing, threshing, sheep shearing, tractor pulls and a variety of country music shows. To wrap up the Threshermen's Reunion, there is a parade downtown featuring all the historic tractors and steam engines, on Sunday, Sept. 5.

BBQ Train
Ely, Nevada, Sept. 4, 2010
Hop aboard the BBQ Train, one of the Nevada Northern Railway’s last four Summer Specialty Trains. Depart the East Ely Depot on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy a Dutch oven-style barbecue dinner aboard the train. Dining aboard a historic train on a summer night is an enchanting experience you won’t want to miss!

2nd Annual Taos Mountain Music Festival
Taos, New Mexico, Sept. 5, 2010
Make the most of your Labor Day holiday and support the 2nd Annual Taos Mountain Music Festival on Sunday. Hear world-renowned recording artists and enjoy a fun-filled weekend, including festivities, great food, children’s games, and arts and crafts on Strawberry Hill. The festival features a wide spectrum of music, from blues and hip-hop to country and Latin grooves.

Harvest Festival & Alpaca Festival
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel Woods, New York, Sept. 5, 2010
Celebrate the bounty, talent and beauty of Sullivan County and surrounding areas at the 12th annual Harvest Festival at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Over the years, the event has grown from a small farmers market to a full festival featuring close to 100 vendors, along with craft village and festival food areas. Each week a different theme is complemented by special events and live performances, a children's area with enrichment activities that include arts and crafts, as well as corn and hay mazes, pony rides, "gathering of the scarecrows" and more. The Alpaca Festival is on Sept. 5.

Kerrville Wine & Music Festival
Kerrville, Texas, Sept. 3-5, 2010
Each year over Labor Day weekend, wine lovers and music enthusiasts gather at the Quiet Valley Ranch (nine miles south of Kerrville on Texas Highway 16) to celebrate the art of songwriting and winemaking at the Kerrville Wine & Music Festival. This Texas Hill Country setting is perfect for introducing the newest and best Texas wines. The festival includes performances by dozens of the world’s best songwriters.

Garlic & Herb Festival
Bennington, Vermont, Sept. 4-5, 2010
Join garlic lovers from throughout New England, as they come to sample food and crafts from 50 different vendors, all made from -- you guessed it -- garlic and herbs! Demonstrations include weed walks, planting and braiding of garlic and much more. Live entertainment and great food all day long.

Photos top to bottom:
Threshermen's Reunion. Photo courtesy of Pontiac P.R.O.U.D.
Pumpkins at the Bethel Woods Harvest Fair. Photo courtesy of Jane Axamethy.
Garlic and Herb Festival, Bennington, Vermont. Photo courtesy of town of Bennington.