The Patriots Point Development Authority is an enterprise (self supporting) state agency which has as current tenants a hotel, marina, college athletic complex, resort cottages and a golf course. The Authority staffs and operates a Naval and Maritime Museum on the complex that includes the aircraft carrier YORKTOWN, 25 aircraft, three other ships, the Congressionally mandated Medal of Honor Museum onboard YORKTOWN and a replica Vietnam riverine support base.

We are in the beginning stages of a course change for this museum, wherein we are turning away from being predominantly a memorial, simply displaying artifacts and names and citations, to becoming more of an interpretive museum, using the artifacts and material we have to tell the story for the changing visitor demographics. We have also dramatically increased our education infrastructure and are increasing our role in that effort with local school districts, in particular offering K-12 standards based programs in history and science.

Created in 1973 by General Assembly in anticipation of the bicentennial celebration. Assigned a mission involving public recreation, economic development and education, focusing on education with respect to patriotism and naval and maritime history. 450 acres of land purchased on Charleston Harbor. Ex-USS YORKTOWN acquired from Navy and towed to this location in 1975. Three other ships acquired in early 1980s. All are open to public with various tour routes and exhibit rooms. Besides YORKTOWN, ships now include CLAMAGORE, a diesel submarine; LAFFEY, a destroyer with stellar war record; and INGHAM, a medium endurance Coast Guard cutter with unique WWII record as well.