What is Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association (PSMA)?

The Association was founded in 1981 to support and steward the USS ALBACORE (AGSS 569) submarine located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The goals of the Association are to maintain a memorial dedicated to the members of the United States Submarine Force, to increase the public awareness of the maritime history of the region centered on Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with particular attention to shipbuilding and shipping activities, and to display the historic research submarine USS ALBACORE (AGSS 569) to the general public.

Organizational Overview:

The Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association (PSMA) is organized under the laws of the State of New Hampshire and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code.

The PSMA has responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the former United States Navy submarine USS ALBACORE (AGSS-569), the ALBACORE visitor center and museum and ALBACORE Park.  The primary focus of the PSMA is to maintain preservation and display of the submarine USS ALBACORE and interpretation of her role in the development of modern submarine technology.  In addition, PSMA has amassed thousands of collections objects and archival materials  which make up our collections. Our current archives are also home to a number of private collections. We also receive many objects, books, documents and technical manuals to complement our collection. 

 

Mission:

The purpose of the Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association shall be as follows:

  1. To erect and perpetually maintain a memorial dedicated to the members of the Submarine Service of the United States Navy

  2. To exhibit, interpret and preserve artifacts and documents pertaining to the naval and maritime heritage of the Piscataqua region - with emphasis on the region's involvement in the development, construction and maintenance of the U. S. Navy's submarine fleet

  3. To preserve, display and interpret the former United States Submarine ALBACORE (AGSS-569)

  4. To perform any other lawful activities consistent with the purposes above


In support of the above purposes, the goals of the Association include:

  • Creating learning experiences for visitors of all ages through educational programs and entertaining events

  • Serving as an umbrella organization for various organized groups promoting maritime activities

  • Offering opportunities to explore the past, present and future in a wide range of maritime and oceanographic endeavors.

  • Being “futuristic” and “growth-oriented” in our thinking.