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The Operational Archives Branch, the main repository of the U.S. Navy's operational history, maintains a select group of operational records, histories of naval commands, manuscripts, oral histories, biographies, and personal papers dealing with the twentieth century Navy, especially after 1941.

The official operational records date from 1946 to the present. In 1996, the Navy's World War II operational records were transferred to the Modern Military Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740.

Location:

Third Floor of Building 57, Washington Navy Yard.
Map of the Washington Navy Yard and Information on Visiting the Naval Historical Center

Hours:

Monday and Tuesday: 0900 - 1600 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday and Friday: 0900 - 1600 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
CLOSED: Weekends and Federal holidays

Researchers must make an appointment by phone to visit the Archives as space in the research room is limited.

Phone: (202) 433-3224; Fax (202) 433-2833

Reference Policy:

Due to limited staffing, the Archives provides reference assistance, rather than conducting in-depth research, for patrons who visit, call, or send a written inquiry to the Operational Archives Branch, Naval Historical Center, 805 Kidder Breese Street SE, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5060.