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School Visits

Submerge yourself in the history of submarines!  Climb aboard the historic World War II submarine USS Bowfin, nicknamed "The Pearl Harbor Avenger."  See how confining and demanding the life of the undersea warrior was. Self-guided tours of Bowfin and our fully air-conditioned submarine museum await you and your students.

  • School group admission fees are $2.00 per student through high school, and $4.00 per accompanying adult.
  • We suggest a ratio of at least 1 adult per group of 15 high school (or younger) students.
  • We are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
  • Please allow 90 minutes for your visit.
  • Homeschoolers, scouts, adult education groups, Exploritas (Elderhostel), and other educationally based organizations are welcome, as well.
Schools often combine visits to Bowfin Park with the Arizona Memorial or our other Pearl Harbor Historic Partners – the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum. We even have a “Spend the day, stay the night” program – groups visit all four historic sites and sleep aboard the “Mighty Mo.”

Contact our education director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (808) 423-1341 to arrange your visit.  A free presentation in your classroom on the history and science of submarines is also available.
 

Secrets of the Sub

Vargas Girls

Vargas  Girls

Vagas Girls Image

  

Artist Alberto Vargas became famous for his WWII watercolors depicting beautiful pin-up girls. "Varga girls" were so popular that many different artists immitated Vargas’ technique and approach to the female figure: an idealized female form eliciting sensuality and seduction.  During the 1940’s his work was a hit amongst enlisted men who drew inspiration from them which inadvertently created high morale. The military was so influenced by this art that they adorned their vessels with it. Many military aircraft had Varga style girls decorating the nose of their planes, Varga girls were even printed on greeting cards and sent to enlisted men by their sweethearts. Inside the engine room aboard USS Bowfin, the crew posted a 1943 Vargas calendar, on which they doodled, wrote notes, and recorded their conquests of the sea.