Behind the museum building.

A stone cairn-style monument with bronze plaques on both the front and back commemorates the birthplace of John Paul Jones, the Scottish-born sailor hailed as the Father of the American Navy. The plaques highlight his early voyage to America, his distinguished service in the Revolutionary War, and his lasting legacy as a naval commander. The front plaque features the insignia of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR), while the back plaque bears a relief bust of John Paul Jones in naval uniform.

At the front plaque text:

TO COMMEMORATE
THE BIRTHPLACE OF ONE OF
AMERICA'S FIRST NAVAL OFFICERS
AND A HERO OF
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES
1747 1792
MAY 2008

BRUCE A. WILCOX, PRESIDENT GENERAL
NATIONAL SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

At the back plaque text:

IN THIS COTTAGE WAS BORN IN 1747 A SCOT.

AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN HE SAILED ACROSS THE

ATLANTIC, LATER TO JOIN THE AMERICAN NAVY IN THE

WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.

HE FOUGHT LONG, VALIANTLY AND SUCCESSFULLY FOR

THE FREEDOM OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES.

THROUGH HIS EXPLOITS AND HIS PRONOUNCEMENTS ON

NAVAL LEADERSHIP HE EARNED A PROMINENT PLACE

AMONG THE FATHERS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED BY CRUISER TO AMERICA

AND PLACED IN A SARCOPHAGUS IN THE CRYPT OF

THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY CHAPEL AS AN INSPIRATION

TO OUR YOUNG NAVAL LEADERS OF THE FUTURE.

HIS NAME JOHN PAUL JONES.

PRESENTED BY BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION, BATH, MAINE, USA

PROUD BUILDERS OF DDG-53 JOHN PAUL JONES