In June 2002, with funds raised by former officers and crewmen of the ship, a permanent monument to Lt. Ware and Airman Stambaugh was dedicated in Veterans Memorial Park in Athens, Tennessee. The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens has become the permanent repository of Ware memorabilia and is home to an impressive collection of artifacts and mementos that belonged to the men who proudly served on the USS Ware.

Providing educational opportunities has always been the cornerstone of the Museum's mission. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce the complete digitization of the U.S.S. Ware Collection, allowing exposure of the collection and the amazing story of the Ware to everyone across the country--and around the world!  Click to see this amazing collection of documents, photographs, and artifacts.

Click here for additional U.S.S. Ware photographs! 

• Do you have a Ware artifact to donate to the Living Heritage Museum? Click here to learn how.