Temporary Exhibits

Always Faithful...Always Fascinating: 250 Years of Remarkable Stories

Marking the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps, the exhibition will feature nearly 50 artifacts as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the Marine Corps across two and a half centuries. While the Museum itself traces the entire 250-year history, Always Faithful…Always Fascinating narrows the focus to 28 remarkable stories told through rare and meaningful artifacts. These stories highlight pivotal moments and personal experiences that shaped the Corps, from the 19th century through the modern era. Visitors will encounter items that reveal not only the legendary figures of Marine Corps history, but also stories from the everyday Marines whose service and
sacrifice embody the spirit of “Always Faithful.”

Each story was carefully curated to go beyond the dates and battles, shedding light on the human
side of Marine Corps history. From the enduring legacy of Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller to the courage of Marines in World War II, and from the leadership of Major General Smedley D. Butler to the creativity of Marines recognized with an Academy Award, the exhibit uses artifacts as storytellers to connect past, present, and future generations. With many artifacts being shown to the public for the first time, the exhibition provides a rare opportunity to explore our history from a different perspective, connecting individual stories to the larger 250-year narrative of the Corps.

This temporary exhibit will be on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps September 2025 through September 2027.

Photo by The National Museum of the Marine Corps

"United States Marine Corps: 250 Years of Dedication, Determination, and Courage" Exhibit

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is proud to announce the upcoming opening of a powerful new temporary exhibition: “United States Marine Corps: 250 Years of Dedication, Determination, and Courage.” The exhibit will open to the public on Friday, June 27, and features 91 original works of art, providing a striking visual tribute to the enduring legacy of the Marine Corps.

This gallery honors 250 years of history by showcasing how Marines have captured and preserved the Marine Corps story through art. The collection spans multiple eras—from the Revolutionary War to modern-day operations—and offers an emotional and authentic lens into the experiences of Marines in service around the world.

This temporary exhibit will be on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps June 2025 through September 2026.

Photo by The National Museum of the Marine Corps

"They Came in Peace" Exhibit.

"They Came in Peace," a new temporary exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps which tells the stories of the Marines who conducted peacekeeping operations in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1982 to 1984 and the 22d Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) that landed on Grenada in 1983 as part of Operation Urgent Fury. The exhibit honors the 241 soldiers, sailors and Marines from the 24th MAU who lost their lives in the October 23, 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport as part of the Museum's commemoration of the fortieth anniversary of this tragic event. A memorial wall with the names of the fallen service members and a multi-media presentation incorporating contemporary footage of the bombing and interviews with surviving Marine veterans and next of kin of the fallen shows visitors the cost borne by the Marines of the 24th MAU and the impact the bombing has had to this day.

Photo by The National Museum of the Marine Corps

USMC Communication Directorate

A photographic exhibit is on the Museum's second deck corridor. This exhibit, curated by staff from the Marine Corps Communication directorate (CD), is a collection of more than 30 images in support of recent Marine Corps operations. These photographs—taken by both Marines and sailors—include images of Marine Corps training and exercises in support of Force Design 2030, which continues the legacy and builds on the foundation cemented by generations of Marines.

Female Marine holding an eagle, globe and anchor.

New to the Collection: Preserving the Past

The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) collection includes more than 60,000 artifacts ranging from early uniform buttons to a 70-ton main battle tank. At any point in time, approximately 10 percent of the collection is on exhibit in the NMMC; the remainder is either on loan to other museums or Marine Corps units, undergoing conservation, or professionally stored for future exhibit or study by researchers. The NMMC acquires artifacts through various means; for example, donation, transfer, or purchase, but all acquisitions are guided by the NMMC Collections Rationale and selected by the curators based on their provenance, condition, and overall significance to the Marine Corps and NMMC’s permanent collection.

The artifacts in this case were recently added to the NMMC collection and illustrate the variety of objects that the NMMC collects, preserves, and maintains in perpetuity.

If you have artifacts that you wish to donate to the Museum, please see our Artifact Donation page.

Battles Won—Marine Corps Recruiting Command Sculptures by Kris Kuksi

Sculptor Kris Kuksi (1973–present) creates elaborate, unique compositions from found materials. “The mentality of a Marine is selflessness, camaraderie, brotherhood, and kinship—all working together and fighting to the death for your fellow man,” Kuksi said at the opening ceremony.

The three sculptures represent various battles throughout the history of the Marine Corps. Each sculpture features a core sculpture that is surrounded by many small figures, which, when viewed in its totality, forms an iconic image that reflects the Marine Corps’ core values, traditions, and victories. The first sculpture--At Their Core—evokes challenges faced on the battlefield. The second--A Nation’s Call—represents the Nation and the battles this Country and the Marine Corps have faced and won. The third sculpture--Waged in Will—is reminiscent of the transformation that occurs during Marine Corps training; winning the battle within one’s self and emerging as a quality citizen who betters the Nation. The emotions captured in the sculpted faces of these iconic pieces reflect the struggles they have lived through—be it on the battlefield, during humanitarian relief missions, or personal challenges endured—to become an United States Marine.

The sculptures are on exhibit on the Museum’s second deck, next to the Combat Art Gallery.