John Ericson's "vibrating side lever" steam engine appears to be in good condition. NOAA's plan is to recover Monitor's unique steam machinery in the near future. (Photo: NOAA)

Salt, mud, and time have taken their toll on the iron artifacts of the USS Monitor. In 2006, the Batten Conservation Laboratory Complex at The Mariners’ Museum opened. This state-of-the-art facility houses thousands of small and large Monitor artifacts in an environment where scientists can study the corrosion process and preserve components of the shipwreck.

In the conservation complex, museum visitors can stand just feet from the two 11-inch Dahlgren guns and their carriages, which were extracted in 2004 from the Monitor's revolutionary turret. The Monitor’s turret and steam engine can also be viewed.

	Batten Conservation Laboratory at The Mariners’ Museum. (Courtesy of The Mariners’ Museum.)