Devoted to the history of Simulation & Training and the US military and civilians who lived and worked at what is now the Sands Point Preserve during 1946-1967, this museum displays appropriate memorabilia representative of the birth, growth, and impact of simulation technology and promote the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“This is an untold and important part of our nation’s history that needs to be taught, experienced and celebrated!” -Henry (Hank) Okraski, US Navy SES-Retired, P.E., CMSP
Tens of thousands of people visit the Sands Point Preserve on the North Shore of Long Island, NY, annually, taking in the beautiful grounds covering 200+ acres and the majestic castles built by the Gould and Guggenheim families during the glamorous “Great Gatsby” era of our nation’s history. Few of those visitors realize that the simulation industry had its birth in those very same castles when in 1946, Adm Luis de Florez moved his Special Devices Division from downtown Washington, DC to what was then called the Guggenheim Estate. The name was later changed to the Naval Training Device Center (NTDC).
Exhibits in the Sands Point Preserve Navy Simulation Museum include:
- The History of Simulation: Technology, People & Organizations. A Tribute to Adm Luis deFlorez
- NTDC/NAWCTSD Commanding Officers Over Time
- An authentic Link Trainer (On Loan from NAWCTSD)
- High Fidelity Flight Simulator
- STEM Activities for Students
The Link Trainer – The Allies Secret Weapon to Air Superiority
The Link Trainer (Blue Box) was the first flight simulator that used pneumatic technology. It replicated flight, at a time when pilots routinely crashed during adverse weather and nighttime conditions. The Link Trainer brought aviation into the modern world and made it safe not just for the military, but for general aviation.
We all owe a debt to Ed Link and the Link Trainer each and every time we fly. The Sands Point Preserve has an original Link Trainer that was used on these very grounds, decades ago. It is on display as part of The Sands Point Preserve Navy Simulation Museum.
From the 1940’s through the 1960’s, over 500,000 pilots were trained on Link Trainers. This special training was key to the flight fitness of our young pilots, helping them survive the dangers of war, and building the air superiority that the United States retains to this day. During World War II, instruction was provided by Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES).
See News 12 Long Island’s coverage of the Navy Simulation Museum’s Opening Day
See the Museum profile in The New York Times and Newsday
NAVY MUSEUM ADMISSION
All visitors are welcome to test their piloting skills on the museum’s commercial grade flight simulator!
Saturdays and Sundays
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30pm)
$5 per person; Children under 10 and Veterans Free
Tickets available in the Welcome Center
Entrance to the Preserve is free for Veterans and Conservancy members; $15 per car for non-members
Please note:
The Museum is housed on the second floor of Castle Gould; visitors must be able to climb a full flight of stairs to access the Museum.
Patronage Opportunities
If you would like to help commemorate the Navy’s historic at the Sands Point Preserve, contributions of relevant exhibit items and/or financial support are most welcome and tax deductible.
For more information please contact:
At Sands Point Preserve Conservancy:
Jeremiah Bosgang, Executive Director
jeremiah.bosgang@sandspointpreserve.org
516-439-4891
In Orlando:
Hank Okraski (Volunteer Curator)
Henry.Okraski@gmail.com
321-805-0024