COVID-19 Museum Information

CLOSURE UPDATE: The National Museum of the Marine Corps will temporarily close beginning Monday, November 23. Recent increases in COVID-19 cases, both regionally and nationally, drove the closure decision.
 
The Museum will remain open Saturday and Sunday (21-22 Nov), with all COVID-19 protocols in place. For more information on those protocols, visit https://www.usmcmuseum.com/covid-19.html. The health and safety of visitors, staff and volunteers is the Museum’s first priority at this time.  The Museum grounds, to include Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and the playground, will remain open. 
 
Please follow the NMMC social media (@usmcmuseum) and check back for updates.

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We have taken enhanced health and safety measures for our visitors, volunteers, and staff.  You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the Museum.  An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.  COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death.  By visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Visitor Experience

• If you have a fever or COVID-19 symptoms, please visit another day.
• All individuals over age 6 must wear a face covering while in the Museum. We highly recommend children between the ages of 2-6  wear a face covering.
  
• Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
  
• Don't touch the artifacts or exhibits.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Cleaning procedures are enhanced in the museum with extra attention given to high-touch areas.
• You may bring one clear, sealed water bottle no larger than 20 oz.  No food is allowed in the Museum.
• Follow instructions from staff and docents. They are focused on keeping everyone safe.
• Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and the Children's Playground are open!
• The Museum is open from 9 am – 5 pm daily (closed on December 25).

Download the Museum Map

Download Park Map

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Museum doing to make my visit safe?

Our amazing housekeeping staff is always dedicated to ensuring the Museum sparkles, but they are paying particular attention to high-touch areas such as railings, elevator buttons, and door handles. They use an EPA-approved cleaning solution that is both a virucide and bactericide. Interactive exhibits have been disabled to minimize locations that visitors might touch. Visitors will find hand sanitizer stations throughout the Museum. Our water fountains have been turned off. However, visitors are allowed to
bring in an unopened, clear bottle of water, no larger than 20 oz. All staff and volunteers are also required to wear face coverings. Visitors will be reminded often to maintain a safe social distance from others. 

You must wear a face covering to protect our staff and other visitors. We ask that you keep 6 feet between yourself and anyone outside your group. Please do not visit if you are sick or have had contact with someone who is sick. Wash your hands often, for a minimum of 20 seconds. Cover your cough or sneeze. Don’t touch the artifacts, exhibits, or walls. Use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the Museum.

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Yes, all visitors over the age of six must wear a face covering for their safety and for the safety of our staff and volunteers. All staff and volunteers are required to wear face coverings. Not only does the CDC recommend face coverings, but face coverings are required in the State of Virginia and by the Secretary of Defense for all Department of Defense (DOD) properties.

Why didn’t you open sooner after Virginia went into less restrictive COVID-19 reopening phases?

While we were eager to reopen to our visitors, our first priority is the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors. We followed state and federal guidance to make our reopening decisions.

How many people will be allowed in the Museum at one time?

Our maximum capacity will be set to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff, and volunteers. Traffic flow will be monitored at all times by museum staff and volunteers.

Why are you limiting how many people may come in?

Based on state and federal requirements, we are limiting the number of visitors so we can ensure safe social distancing is maintained throughout your visit. This is for everyone’s safety.

This is a taxpayer funded federal museum. Why are you limiting access?

Based on state and federal requirements, we are limiting the number of visitors so we can ensure safe
social distancing is maintained throughout your visit. This is for everyone’s safety.

I am a Marine (veteran, widow of, etc.). I should be able to come in whenever I want.

We greatly respect and appreciate your service and we want you to think of this as “your Museum.” However, we also want to protect you and all those who come to learn more about the sacrifices made by our service members. This is another reason why we have to limit the number of people who enter.

What can I do to help keep the Museum safe for all visitors?

You must wear a face covering to protect our staff and other visitors. We ask that you keep 6 feet between yourself and anyone outside your group. Please do not visit if you are sick or have had contact with someone who is sick. Wash your hands often, for a minimum of 20 seconds. Cover your cough or sneeze. Don’t touch the artifacts, exhibits, or walls. Use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the Museum.

How do I know your staff and volunteers aren’t sick?

We have many protocols and requirements in place for all staff and volunteers. All staff and volunteers are required to promptly report any COVID-19 symptoms or positive tests for themselves and their dependents. If any staff or volunteer tests positive, the USMC has dedicated medical staff to conduct contact tracing to prevent the spread of the virus.

You have a lot of hands-on activities and touch screens; will these all be closed?

Our interactive exhibits are temporarily disabled throughout the Museum. There are plenty of staff and volunteers available to help answer any questions. The Children’s Gallery, Chesty’s Corner, and Chesty’s Dock will be closed until further notice.

How will the Museum ensure there is social distancing?

Social distancing will be enforced throughout the museum by staff and volunteers who will be monitoring galleries for crowding, and reminding visitors to keep a 6-foot distance. If a gallery or exhibit area is crowded, consider moving on and returning later.

My group would like to visit, how do I make those reservations?

We are not currently accepting group tours. We look forward to welcoming group tours when we can safely have larger groups in the Museum. We will be updating information regarding future reservations on our website.

When will you resume ceremonies, events, and programming?

Currently we are only allowing ceremonies for 75 or fewer people inside the Museum. Events such as family days, pre-school playdates, and concerts will resume when COVID-19 conditions improve. When we resume, we will announce upcoming events and programs on our web site, www.usmcmuseum.com and all our social media platforms. If you would like to get updates from us regarding events and programs, please subscribe to our newsletter.

Is the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park open?

Yes, we opened the park on 3 August. Small ceremonies may be held in the park as long as safe social distancing is practiced. Small ceremonies are first come, first serve; no need to schedule. We hope you will enjoy the great outdoors while learning about Marine Corps history through the monuments along the trails. Please remember to practice safe social distancing.

What other changes have you made?

Visitor entrance and exits are now through separate doors at opposite ends so that we can monitor how many people come in and go out in order to stay within the capacity set for safety. The center doors are roped off, though available for use in case of emergency. Our visitor information desk is enclosed in clear Plexiglas to keep our volunteers safe. Leading up to the information desk is a long runner with yellow footprints to remind our visitors of the need to maintain a six-foot distance from others. Scuttlebutt Theater is closed until further notice. The Rifle Range is also closed temporarily. Additional precautions will be implemented as needed.

How do I get a map of the galleries?

Following state and federal guidance, we no longer hand out any materials. Please download a map posted on this page. You may also scan a QR code available at the visitor information desk to download a map to your phone.

What are the Museum hours?

The Museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Christmas day, when the Museum is closed. If any changes to hours need to be made, we will post it on our web site, www.usmcmuseum.com and on all our social media platforms.

What if I am sick?

What if I am sick?
If you have a fever, are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, or have been exposed to anyone else with symptoms within a two-week period prior to your visit, we ask that you visit at a later date. If you experience any symptoms within two weeks of your museum visit, please let us know by emailing info@usmcmuseum.com.

What if I become sick while visiting?

If you begin to feel unwell during your visit to the Museum, notify one of our employees, volunteers, or security guards immediately. They will assist you and call for an ambulance if needed.

Is water available at the Museum?

For health and safety reasons, the water fountains have been turned off and will not be accessible to museum visitors for the foreseeable future. Visitors may bring unopened, clear water bottles no larger than 20 oz.

Are the restaurants and gift shop open?

Tun Tavern will be open with limited seating.  Devil Dog Diner is closed for now.  The Museum Store is open.

Do you have any special exhibits on display?

Do you have any special exhibits on display?
Yes, the Museum has new exhibits. The new show in the Combat Art Gallery is, “In the Highest Tradition…WWII Medal of Honor Art: Paintings by Col. Charles H. Waterhouse, USMCR.” Our WWII Gallery has a new exhibit about the Navajo Code Talkers. Finally, we opened the continuation of Legacy Walk just before the COVID-19 closure. For more information on all these exhibits please visit www.usmcmuseum.com.

I can’t visit the museum right now. Are there virtual ways to visit the Museum?

Yes, there are several ways to visit the Museum virtually and take advantage of our educational programming. Our virtual tour explores our WWII, Korea and Vietnam Galleries with imagery, in depth information and curator talks. Our YouTube channel has a great selection of walking tours of the galleries. There’s an abundance of educational content available on the Education Resources page on our website, www.usmcmuseum.com/education-resources.html.

Why should I visit the Museum?

The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) presents history as seen through the eyes of Marines. Spanning the country’s history from our birth in 1775 through the end of the Vietnam War, the Museum traces the path of our nation in turmoil and growth, showcasing the legacy of Marines’ sacrifices during conflict and service in humanitarian efforts. With unique artifacts like the flag flown upon Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, a Revolutionary War powder horn, and aircraft that helped turn the tide of war, NMMC has something for everyone. In the coming years, NMMC will open galleries covering the years from 1976 through the Global War on Terror. These new galleries will take visitors to Somalia, Beirut, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, humanitarian efforts around the globe, the tragic events of 9/11, and into Iraq and Afghanistan. Stories in the galleries explore the role of the Marine family, the price of freedom, and even Marines who are also professional athletes.