The problem to be investigated by this study is whether museum visitors' history content knowledge is enhanced by their museum experience and whether their lived experiences played a role in their learning. The study is based on the theories of experiential, informal and free-choice learning. A qualitative design examined the lived experiences of adult visitors to history museums. The study used interviews, and researcher reflections to collect data on the lived experiences of visitors to the USS Constitution Museum. The data collected was analyzed to see patterns and themes in the visitor experience. While the museum field includes a wide range of museum types such as science museums, art museums, zoos and history museums, all of them have the same mission: to preserve the past and educate the public about the importance of their topics; and their role in the future of society. "How do visitors learn in museums?" is the question for current museum scholars. Future studies on the lived experiences of adult visitors to other museums would be beneficial to museum scholarship. The implication of the findings for practice is that museums should allow visitors to have input in the exhibit process, outcomes and be more hands-on to engage visitors and their learning experience. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]