Ready Room Blog
3/10/2025
Experience History from a New Perspective on the Rooftop Terrace
A New Exhibit at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Introducing Our Newest Exhibit: Timeline on the Terrace
On February 1, 2025, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum opened its newest exhibit: Timeline on the Terrace. Perched atop the historic Ford Island Operations Building, this immersive experience on the brand-new Rooftop Terrace offers visitors a fresh perspective on the events of December 7, 1941. Through a dynamic combination of audio, visual, and tactile elements, the exhibit aims to deepen our connection to one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
Complementing the Iconic Ford Island Control Tower
The Timeline on the Terrace is a new addition to the Ford Island Operations Building, thoughtfully designed to complement the Museum’s iconic Ford Island Control Tower, a silent witness to the attack. As visitors reach the rooftop of the Operations Building, the new exhibit invites you to take in the panoramic views of Ford Island and its historic surroundings. Each feature of the exhibit works together to guide visitors through a detailed timeline of the Pearl Harbor attack. For those seeking an even more immersive experience at the Operations Building, the Top of the Tower Tour is available as an upgrade. This hour-long first-class guided tour includes a ride in the originally restored elevator to the upper cab, where guests are greeted with a stunning 360° view of the battlefield from the observation deck. This elevated perspective provides a bird’s-eye view, tying together the full story of December 7, 1941, and offering a powerful, comprehensive understanding of the events that unfolded that fateful day.
Exhibit Highlights
1. Geographical Insights and Immersive Views
From the unique vantage point of the Rooftop Terrace, guests can take in unobstructed views of Ford Island and key landmarks that played critical roles during the attack. Reader Rails positioned along the perimeter of the Terrace provide essential historical context guiding guests through the key moments of the attack and detailing the aircraft involved. As visitors stand and look out over these exact locations, the rails create a powerful connection between past and present. For a more interactive experience, look through the viewfinders which bring distant Oahu landmarks into focus, allowing guests to imagine the sights and sounds of December 7, 1941.
2. Oral History Benches
Visitors can sit on the oral history benches and listen to firsthand accounts from survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor. These recorded stories give voice to the experiences and emotions of servicemen who were on the ground that day. As guests take in these powerful narratives, they can look out at Ford Island and the surrounding area—further deepening their understanding of the events of the ”day which will live in infamy.”
3. Aerological Tower Media Table
Situated in the Aerological Tower on the Rooftop Terrace, the media table uses motion graphics, archival maps, and spatial soundscapes to recreate the attack in vivid detail. Guests can hear the roar of aircraft, the distant thud of explosions, and the tense communications between control tower personnel as they guided aircraft through the chaos. This immersive element to the exhibit engages guests of all ages, bringing history to life.
History of the Aerological Tower
The two-story Aerological Tower atop the Ford Island Operations Building (Building S84) holds a significant place in Pearl Harbor’s history, playing a crucial role in defense and communication during and after the attack on December 7, 1941. At the time, the upper control tower (Top of the Tower) of Building S84 was still under construction, leaving the Aerological Tower to serve a dual purpose. The lower level of the aerological tower was used for monitoring wind direction and weather forecasting, while the upper level functioned as a temporary control tower, directing aircraft on the Ford Island runway until the permanent tower was completed in February 1942.
During the surprise attack, Building S84 became a firsthand witness to the devastation. As Japanese aircraft strafed the area around Hangar 37, personnel took shelter inside S84. Recognizing the dire situation, Ensign Daniel S. Hamway and Chief Aerographer John Van Domelen sprang into action. Realizing they had no weapons, they commandeered a truck, gathered rifles and a .30-caliber machine gun from the Storehouse, and set up an impromptu defense on the rooftop—now the Rooftop Terrace.
Later that evening, Commander Howard L. Young, CEAG, endeavored from the Aerological Tower, to guide six incoming Grumman F4F Wildcats from the USS Enterprise. Despite his repeated instructions for the pilots to fly low and land immediately, they instead flew over the airfield. American anti-aircraft gunners, mistaking them for enemy aircraft, opened fire. Five of the six planes were shot down, resulting in the tragic loss of three pilots.
Today, the historical Ford Island Operations Building—including the Top of the Tower, Rooftop Terrace, and Aerological Tower—stands as a memorial to those lost on December 7, 1941. Its Control Tower remains an iconic feature of the Pearl Harbor skyline, honoring the sacrifices made and the resilience of those who served.
Plan Your Visit Today
As you visit the Rooftop Terrace and experience the Timeline on the Terrace exhibit, we invite you to honor the past as you reflect on the stories of the heroes told, learn the historical significance the Ford Island Operations Building played during and after the attack, and gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation.
Access to the Rooftop Terrace is included with general admission tickets to Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. For an even more unforgettable experience, you can upgrade your visit to take the Top of the Tower Tour, an hour-long, docent-led retelling of the events as they unfolded on December 7th. Visit today and experience history from a new vantage point!
