The long-awaited USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion is open to the public at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester, the full-size replica of a Cold War nuclear submarine now permanently docked adjacent to the Voice of America Broadcasting Museum. Much more than a memorial, the Peace Pavilion is a community gathering space that encourages visitors to reflect upon and learn about history, science and humanity.
Joseph Jaap, President & Executive Director of the Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Association and Navy veteran has been working toward this goal for more than 25 years.
“Our vision and motto is: Peace is our Purpose,” Joe shares, “We are honoring the past while engaging, educating and inspiring future generations of leaders and innovators to ensure America’s continued strength, security and competitive edge.
“The mission of the memorial is to honor the service of USS Cincinnati, which represents the investment our nation made during five decades of the Cold War,” he says. “It also honors the service of three generations of veterans who served in the Cold War and honors the contribution of all the local companies that contributed to the peaceful conclusion of the Cold War…It is a unique civic icon and will be valuable civic asset for events, but most importantly, it will engage young people and excite them to the science, technology, engineering, math and skilled trade careers necessary to design, build and operate such complex and sophisticated machines to keep our nation secure and competitive in a global economy.”
Bringing the USS Cincinnati to West Chester was a collaboration between MetroParks of Butler County, West Chester Township and the Northern Cincinnati Foundation. A veteran-led initiative, it is a privately funded venture made possible by the generous support of individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations.
Three pieces of the replica are original to the USS Cincinnati: the 17-foot tall rudder, the conning tower (also known as the “sail”) and in its center, the submarine’s diesel engine that served as backup power for the nuclear-powered ship. It was painted red and nicknamed “The Big Red Machine,” in honor of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team winning back-to-back World Series Championships in 1975 and 1976.
“A sub is an exquisite machine packed with sophisticated equipment requiring highly trained sailors to operate, along with engineers to design it, plus skilled trades like welders, pipefitters, shipfitters, plumbers and electricians to build it. We hope to inspire both STEM and skilled trades with the USS Cincinnati,” Joe adds.
According to Joe, even after 20-plus years, the site is an ongoing project, as supporters continue to work toward the full potential of the site.
“Next we will be installing the solar panels on the open framework of the upper hull structure to show how only the top seven feet of the sub’s hull is visible above water. It will be the first ‘solar-powered nuclear submarine!’” he says.
“We also intend to acquire a periscope and the ship driving station to complete the control room under the conning tower,” he adds.
The USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion continues to be an all-hands-on-deck project. Visit the memorial to learn more about its role in the Cold War, tour with a trained docent and take in the grandeur of the sheer size of it. Join the continuing efforts to add finishing touches and help build educational programming with a donation online. SubCincy.org
“It is a unique civic icon and will be a valuable civic asset, but most importantly, it will engage young people…” -Joseph Jaap, President & Executive Director of the Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Association