United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum The United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum is a private non - profit museum in Quincy , Massachusetts featuring USS " Salem " ( CA - 139 ) , a heavy cruiser docked at the former Fore River Shipyard where she was laid down in 1945 . The museum was established in 1993 in response to efforts by local officials and volunteers to revive the shipyard area after operations at Fore River ended in 1986 . Several exhibits on board " Salem " relating to United States naval history and shipbuilding are featured along with dockside fixtures and a miniature golf course . History . In 1986 , General Dynamics Corporation shut down its shipbuilding facility at Weymouth Fore River in Quincy , signaling the end of a 102 year history of shipbuilding operations along the Fore River and 85 years at the site in Quincy Point . Various plans were offered at the time for use of the shipyard , however in 1992 a group of volunteers came up with one partial solution : the purchase and relocation of a ship built at the shipyard to be reborn as a museum celebrating the history of the yard . With help from local officials , the museum was established in 1993 by an act of the Massachusetts General Court to " acquire , refurbish and maintain United States naval ships and the adjacent physical complex in order that it will service as a major attraction for local citizens and tourists . " After earlier attempts to obtain use of USS " Lexington " ( CV - 16 ) , in 1994 the city and the volunteer group successfully negotiated the relocation of " Salem " from Philadelphia with the Naval Sea Systems Command . On 30 October 1994 " Salem " returned to Quincy to be permanently docked where she was built nearly five decades before . Exhibits and attractions . With a length of , " Salem " provides a large amount of space for museum exhibits and casual exploration by visitors . The Admiral ' s and Captain ' s Bridge , Number Three Turret , Second Deck ( crew quarters ) and Main Deck of " Salem " are features of the ship proper which are open to visitors . There are also individual exhibits within the ship including the Cruiser Sailor Museum and a substantial model ship collection . The history of large cruisers like " Salem " is also addressed . Exhibits featuring USS " Newport News " ( CA - 148 ) , the last of the " Des Moines " class cruisers , and USS " Saint Paul " ( CA - 73 ) , a " Baltimore " class cruiser also built at Fore River are on board . A portion of the museum is devoted to a display of Navy SEAL history . Researchers can request access to extensive military archives and a collection of naval armaments and memorabilia . Outside the realm of military history , the museum takes advantage of the history of the city which gave the ship its name , Salem , Massachusetts , famous for the witch trials of the late 17th century , by offering holiday themed tours and overnight stays during Halloween . Overnight stays are also available throughout the year for those interested in life aboard a Navy ship . Adjacent to the ship there is an eighteen hole miniature golf course . Operated by the museum , " Kilroy ' s Mini Golf " is named in honor of James J . Kilroy , a worker at the shipyard who is often cited as the origin of the famous " Kilroy was here " graffiti .