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Founded in 1845 in an old Army fort, the United States Naval Academy has grown to fill a 238-acre campus located just north of downtown Annapolis, at the mouth of the Severn River.

More than 10,000 students and enlisted personnel apply to the academy each year to fill about 1,200 openings in the freshman, or plebe, class. The student body, or Brigade of Midshipmen, numbers about 4,400. The midshipmen are instructed by a faculty whose 600-plus members are roughly split between civilians and military officers. After completing a four-year course of study, midshipmen must serve five years as a Navy or Marine Corps officer.

Over a million visitors a year come to the academy, which is a National Historic Site.

With its soaring copper dome, the grand main Chapel is the architectural centerpiece of the Yard, as academy grounds are called. John Paul Jones, the United States' first naval hero, is buried in a crypt beneath the sanctuary.

Memorial Hall and a sample midshipman's room are open to the public. The hall is part of sprawling Bancroft Hall — one of the world's largest dormitories. Memorial Hall contains several rolls of honor, including lists of academy grads who were killed in action or who received the Medal of Honor.

A popular spot has been the Naval Academy Museum, packed with academy lore, exquisite model ships and mementos of American naval history. The museum is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in the fall of 2009.

The brigade holds a lunchtime formation weekdays, weather permitting, in Tecumseh Court in front of Bancroft Hall.

Visitors may watch the brigade's formal dress parades on Worden Field, held on various occasions in the spring, summer and fall.

The academy also hosts concerts and plays, some free; visit our events calendar for listings.

For more information about the Naval Academy call the public affairs office at 410-293-2292.