Early last month I was browsing the internet looking for something fun and interesting in Omaha (like a Museum) because I still needed more driving hours to get my license. Luckily, I stumbled upon Freedom Park and knew thats where I would be going! If you live near Omaha, I highly suggest going! The sight of a WW2 minesweeper sitting in the ground in Nebraska is quite odd, but super cool. They also have a 1960s/70s training sub, too! I only have a few photos, but enjoy anyways. Oh yes, all of the helmets are original to the ship as well!

 

Here's the veiw looking out of the sub... There are a few aircraft, lots of name plates off of ships, and even more. Go check it out!

They had a bunch of other guns, I only have a couple of pics though. A Chicago piano and a destroyer gun.

Heres the Chicago piaono

Oh boy, its M1 helmet time! Not 100% sure the paint is original, it they may have been repainted but I am not sure... The ship was originaly purchased for scrap, and it had a ton of stuff still on it. I believe all of the artifacts on board are original to the ship.

 

Damage control helmet

 

Corpsman helmet

 

Captains helmet

 

There were other helmets, but by that time my phone was dead.

Cool! Who would have guessed that was there? I haven't been through that area since passing through in 1982. But if I ever get out that way again, I know where to go! Thanks for sharing.

Mikie

Thank you for posting. I had posted a similar thread earlier:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/144759-uss-hazard-and-freedom-park-omaha/?hl=%2Bfreedom+%2Bpark

 

As you will note in my thread, the park and the exhibits were ravaged by the Missouri river flood a few years bank. The USS Hazard actually floated and was only secured by its moorings. When it settled back down it was at an angle.

 

I almost did not recognize your photos... they have done a massive repainting of the ship, and it looks better than ever! They have also remounted the topmost portion of the mast.

 

I wasn't aware the park had reopened, and the last time I drove over to check, the gate on the road in there was locked down. The lesson learned is to check the website for their hours.

 

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FREEDOMPARK/

We used to do a lot of events there back in the 90's. I haven't been out to see her in recent years, but I'll have to correct that. AM 240 is definitely a nice little ship!

Great to see the "Chicago Piano", or 1.1"/75 caliber gun,real early WW II gun. These were replaced by the 20 mm & 40 mm guns. I suspect most were scrapped during the war. I have a couple of the 1.1 inch shells for them. I had to do some research to find out what they were for. Most of those were likely scrapped also.

Thanks for posting them.

BKW