The U.S. Navy takeover of the museum building for the duration of World War II resulted in damage to the collections, exhibits, and the building itself. The main library and its librarian were moved to San Diego State College; the rest of the treasured and fragile exhibits were hastily packed, crated and moved into a total of 32 separate places.
The U.S. Navy's intervention during World War II caused harm to the museum building, collections, exhibits, and structure. The main library and librarian were relocated to San Diego State College; valuable and delicate items were hastily moved to multiple sites.