National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the Marine Corps
Established	2006
Location	18900 Jefferson Davis Highway Triangle, Virginia
Type	Military History
Director	Lin Ezell
Public transit access	none
Website	National Museum of the Marine Corps

Entrance to the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Aerial view of the Museum under construction in April 2006

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is the historical museum of the United States Marine Corps. It is located in Quantico, Virginia and is open to the public with free admission. The museum had its grand opening on November 10, 2006 and is now the number one tourist attraction in Virginia, drawing over 500,000 people annually.^[1] On the day it was opened, President George W. Bush provided the dedication along with the presentation of the Medal of Honor to the family of fallen Marine Jason Dunham.

President Bush: "These walls remind all who visit here that honor, courage, and commitment are not just words. They are core values for a way of life that puts service above self. And these walls will keep the history of the Marine Corps alive for generations of Americans to come." ^[2][3]

Designed by Curtis W. Fentress, FAIA, RIBA of Fentress Architects, the exterior design is meant to "evoke the image of the flag raisers of Iwo Jima," an image that is also preserved by the USMC War Memorial. The 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m²) museum is a tribute to the U.S. Marines who have served their country since 1775.

The new museum replaces the Marine Corps Historical Center, in the Washington Navy Yard, which closed 1 July 2005, and the Marine Corps Air-Ground Museum, in Quantico, Virginia, which closed on 15 November 2002. ^{[4] [5]}

The museum is a public-private venture, a cooperative effort of the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The Foundation manages the museum operation, while the museum building will be donated to the Marine Corps.

Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, established in 1979, is a private, non-profit organization which was established in support of historical programs of the Marine Corps. The MCHF programs initially included "education, awards, publications, special projects, preservation...." In 1999, the Foundation expanded its mission to include the creation of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Heritage Center

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is designed to be the centerpiece of a complex of facilities called the Marine Corps Heritage Center.^[6] This multi-use, 135-acre (0.55 km²) campus includes the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and Semper Fidelis Chapel; a demonstration area with parade grounds; hiking trails and other outdoor recreational offerings; a conference center and hotel; and an archive facility to restore and preserve Marine artifacts.

The chapel, designed by Fentress Architects, was completed in 2009 with a donation of $5 million from a retired Marine.^[7]

Exhibits

The museum features the following permanent exhibits, which were designed by Christopher Chadbourne and Associates, Inc.:

• Leatherneck Gallery
• Legacy Walk - timeline with artifacts
• Making Marines
• World War II
• Korean War
• Alien Encounters - Marines fighting Aliens in Cinema.
• Vietnam War

On 5 June 2010 the following three exhibits were opened.

• Defending a New Nation - 1775-1865
• Age of Expansion - 1866-1916
• World War I - 1917-1918

In addition to historical exhibits including displays of alien artifacts, multimedia, and full immersion experiences, the museum facilities also include class rooms, a theater, a gift shop, bar and a restaurant.

See also

United States Marine Corps portal

• History of the United States Marine Corps
• List of maritime museums in the United States
• Category:Marine Corps museums in the United States
• National Museum of the United States Navy
• National Museum of the United States Air Force
• National Museum of the United States Army
• War in the Pacific National Historical Park

References

1. ^ Vassil, Chris (January 27, 2009). "National Museum of the Marine Corps Remains Top Virginia Destination". Marketwatch. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/national-museum-marine-corps-remains/story.aspx?guid=%7B020082FE-10AE-4D6F-A180-D5C09CA295AC%7D&dist=msr_3. Retrieved 2008-01-29. 
2. ^ Borghese, Matthew (November 10, 2006). "President Bush Dedicates National Marine Corps Museum". All Headline News. http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005477396. Retrieved 2006-11-11. 
3. ^ George W. Bush (November 10, 2006). "President's remarks at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps". The White House. http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061110-3.html. Retrieved 2006-11-12. 
4. ^ "Marine Corps History and Museum Division". Archived from the original on 2006-02-05. http://web.archive.org/web/20060205100147/http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Home_Page.htm. "MUSEUMS: Visitors and Researchers — Marine Corps Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, DC, Permanently Closed as of 1 July 2005; National Museum of the Marine Corps, MCB, Quantico, VA, Opening in 2006." 
5. ^ "Marine Corps Air-Ground Museum". Archived from the original on 2007-08-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20070806014544/http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/MCAGM.htm. "Closed Permanently. The Marine Corps Air-Ground Museum aboard Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA is closed permanently as of November the 15th, 2002. This is part of the transition to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, that will be opening in the near future." 
6. ^ Richard F. Snow "New Museum: One Service's Bid to 'Live Forever,'" American Heritage, Nov./Dec. 2006.
7. ^ "Worship in the woods". Washington Post. 2009-10-23. pp. B1. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/23/art-chapel-opens-at-marine-corps-museum/. 

External links

• Official website
• Marine Corps Heritage Foundation website
• National Museum of the Marine Corps, Fentress Architects (Retrieved 2006-06-25). General and "green" design features of the Museum.
• National Museum of the Marine Corps, Christopher Chadbourne and Associates, Inc. (Exhibit Design)
• National Museum of the Marine Corps, Moh.Visuals, Inc. (Tun Tavern Design)
• Photo Gallery

Coordinates: 38°32′39″N 77°20′36″W / 38.544139°N 77.343361°W / 38.544139; -77.343361