Temporary Exhibits
Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts
Take one step beyond the air, land, and sea with Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts. This exhibit features artifacts and imagery from Marine astronauts who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the space program.
Marines have served on space flight missions since the 1960s. The accomplishments and sacrifices of individual Marine astronauts have provided substantial contributions to NASA’s space exploration missions.
The exhibition is divided into three sections that cover distinctive phases of the space program. Artifacts, imagery, and personal narratives tell stories that are literally from out of this world! Artifact highlights include flight garments and gear that were used by Marine astronauts.
Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts runs through January 2024.
Marines have served on space flight missions since the 1960s. The accomplishments and sacrifices of individual Marine astronauts have provided substantial contributions to NASA’s space exploration missions.
The exhibition is divided into three sections that cover distinctive phases of the space program. Artifacts, imagery, and personal narratives tell stories that are literally from out of this world! Artifact highlights include flight garments and gear that were used by Marine astronauts.
Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts runs through January 2024.
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.
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.
New to the Collection: Preserving the Past
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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. |
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A Tribute in Silver
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Objects made of silver represent respect, commemoration, and triumph. Within the Marine Corps, the tradition of giving and receiving commemorative silver objects as tributes of admiration and achievement was particularly popular during the early 20th century. It is from this era that the Museum amassed a large portion of its collection of silver tribute pieces.
These silver objects represent various forms of tribute, including those that commemorate personal and professional achievement, as well as sporting victories. Many familiar names appear on these objects, to include Smedley Butler, Jacob Zeilin, John Philip Sousa, and Charles Heywood. The largeness of this collection exemplifies the Marine Corps’ strong tradition of achievement (both personal and professional) and excellence. |
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Battles Won—Marine Corps Recruiting Command Sculptures by Kris Kuksi
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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. |
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