Exhibits
The National Museum of the Marine Corps presents a comprehensive study of nearly 250 years of Marine Corps history. Individual galleries depict specific eras in American history, highlight Marine contributions to significant world events, capture Marine Corps heritage through art, and provide interactive, relatable experiences for children.
Legacy Walk
The Legacy Walk connects the various era galleries and is the main pathway through the Museum. For visitors with only a limited time to tour the Museum, the Legacy Walk provides an overview of more than two centuries of Marine Corps history side by side with national and world events. Along the way, dramatic vignettes bring to life scenes of Marines in action from colonial times through the global war on terror.
Making Marines
This gallery explains how the Marine Corps transforms raw recruits from ordinary citizens into elite warriors. Follow new recruits from their induction, through their 12 weeks of boot camp, to graduation. Visitors experience a motivational speech from a drill instructor, heft a fully loaded pack, and test their aim on the M-16 Laser Rifle Range.
Defending the New Republic
This gallery explores the first century of the Marine Corps: from the creation of the Marine Corps at a tavern in Philadelphia by members of the Continental Congress through the combat actions of Marines on both sides of the American Civil War. Exhibits present the Marine Corps’ role in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War and the Corps’ efforts to combat pirates and slave traders on the high seas.
Global Expeditionary Force
This gallery follows the Marine Corps as its expeditionary, force-in-readiness nature develops in concert with its relationship with the Navy. Visitors experience the expansion of the Marine Corps into Latin America, across the Pacific, and into the Far East as the Navy-Marine Corps team expands its role in protecting American interest abroad. Visitors will enjoy listening to “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and learning about its rise to international fame under the directorship of John Philip Sousa (from 1880 to 1892).
World War I
The Marine Corps entered World War I in 1917. This gallery captures the Marine Corps’ involvement in halting the German advance and ending World War I. Visitors experience the intensity of Marines charging across a field of wheat, including the smell of cordite and the whistle of bullets.
World War II
From the attack on Pearl Harbor to the occupation of the Japanese homeland, this gallery highlights the heroic efforts of Marines on the ground and in the air during World War II. Visitors will see period aircraft, tanks, and weapons; board a Higgins Boat for the assault on Iwo Jima; and experience a very human look at the cost of war for American POWs.
Korean War
The Korean War was the first US combat action of the Cold War. Referred to as the “forgotten war,” the Korean War marked a watershed moment for the Marine Corps: an increase in the size of the Corps and the first use of Marine Corps helicopters and jet powered aircraft in combat. Visitors explore the desperate defense of the Pusan Perimeter, the bold landings at Inchon, the bitter fight around the Chosin Reservoir, and the “see-saw” battles for control for the city of Seoul.
Vietnam
The Marine Corps fought in Vietnam from 1965 to 1975—longer than in any other conflict. This gallery brings to life both horrific scenes of close combat and small moments of compassion on the fields of battle at such places as Howard’s Hill, Marble Mountain, Quang Nam, Khe Sanh, and Dong Ha. Wall murals and dioramas provide visitors with stories about combat operations, significant contributions to the war, individual Marines, special units, morale, and air support.
Combat Art Gallery
The Combat Art Gallery opened in July 2017. This gallery is the home to the Marine Corps Combat Art Program and relies on the talents of active duty Marines, Reservists, and civilian artists to document the authentic and unvarnished images of life in the Marine Corps. The gallery features changing exhibitions of the Museum’s combat art collection and related collections on loan from other museums and individuals.
Children's Gallery
The Children’s Gallery mimics the Museum’s theme of U.S. and world history as seen through the eyes of Marines but scaled down to child-size, hands-on interactive exhibits. Children are immersed in Marine Corps history, starting with the Corps’ birth at Tun Tavern in 1775 and traveling all the way to today’s modern Marine Corps. The experience is designed for children up to 10 years old, but all visitors are welcome. Museum educators will be on duty, and there is ample seating for parents, caregivers, and story time.
Legacy Walk
The Legacy Walk connects the various era galleries and is the main pathway through the Museum. For visitors with only a limited time to tour the Museum, the Legacy Walk provides an overview of more than two centuries of Marine Corps history side by side with national and world events. Along the way, dramatic vignettes bring to life scenes of Marines in action from colonial times through the global war on terror.
Making Marines
This gallery explains how the Marine Corps transforms raw recruits from ordinary citizens into elite warriors. Follow new recruits from their induction, through their 12 weeks of boot camp, to graduation. Visitors experience a motivational speech from a drill instructor, heft a fully loaded pack, and test their aim on the M-16 Laser Rifle Range.
Defending the New Republic
This gallery explores the first century of the Marine Corps: from the creation of the Marine Corps at a tavern in Philadelphia by members of the Continental Congress through the combat actions of Marines on both sides of the American Civil War. Exhibits present the Marine Corps’ role in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War and the Corps’ efforts to combat pirates and slave traders on the high seas.
Global Expeditionary Force
This gallery follows the Marine Corps as its expeditionary, force-in-readiness nature develops in concert with its relationship with the Navy. Visitors experience the expansion of the Marine Corps into Latin America, across the Pacific, and into the Far East as the Navy-Marine Corps team expands its role in protecting American interest abroad. Visitors will enjoy listening to “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and learning about its rise to international fame under the directorship of John Philip Sousa (from 1880 to 1892).
World War I
The Marine Corps entered World War I in 1917. This gallery captures the Marine Corps’ involvement in halting the German advance and ending World War I. Visitors experience the intensity of Marines charging across a field of wheat, including the smell of cordite and the whistle of bullets.
World War II
From the attack on Pearl Harbor to the occupation of the Japanese homeland, this gallery highlights the heroic efforts of Marines on the ground and in the air during World War II. Visitors will see period aircraft, tanks, and weapons; board a Higgins Boat for the assault on Iwo Jima; and experience a very human look at the cost of war for American POWs.
Korean War
The Korean War was the first US combat action of the Cold War. Referred to as the “forgotten war,” the Korean War marked a watershed moment for the Marine Corps: an increase in the size of the Corps and the first use of Marine Corps helicopters and jet powered aircraft in combat. Visitors explore the desperate defense of the Pusan Perimeter, the bold landings at Inchon, the bitter fight around the Chosin Reservoir, and the “see-saw” battles for control for the city of Seoul.
Vietnam
The Marine Corps fought in Vietnam from 1965 to 1975—longer than in any other conflict. This gallery brings to life both horrific scenes of close combat and small moments of compassion on the fields of battle at such places as Howard’s Hill, Marble Mountain, Quang Nam, Khe Sanh, and Dong Ha. Wall murals and dioramas provide visitors with stories about combat operations, significant contributions to the war, individual Marines, special units, morale, and air support.
Combat Art Gallery
The Combat Art Gallery opened in July 2017. This gallery is the home to the Marine Corps Combat Art Program and relies on the talents of active duty Marines, Reservists, and civilian artists to document the authentic and unvarnished images of life in the Marine Corps. The gallery features changing exhibitions of the Museum’s combat art collection and related collections on loan from other museums and individuals.
Children's Gallery
The Children’s Gallery mimics the Museum’s theme of U.S. and world history as seen through the eyes of Marines but scaled down to child-size, hands-on interactive exhibits. Children are immersed in Marine Corps history, starting with the Corps’ birth at Tun Tavern in 1775 and traveling all the way to today’s modern Marine Corps. The experience is designed for children up to 10 years old, but all visitors are welcome. Museum educators will be on duty, and there is ample seating for parents, caregivers, and story time.
Final Phase GalleriesThe final phase of historical galleries, scheduled to open incrementally over the coming years, will include Marine Corps history from 1976 to September 11, 2001; the attacks of September 11; Marine families; the interwar years (1919-1940); Marines in sports; and the Marine Corps’ future. Galleries will continue to evolve and change, recognizing that not every Marine serves in combat and but that every Marine is vital to the mission and honor of the Marine Corps.
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