Temporary Exhibits

COMMSTRAT Exhibit

A new photographic exhibit is now on display on the second deck hallway at the Museum. This exhibit, curated by Marine Corps Communications Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT - formerly known as Combat Camera and Public Affairs), is a collection of more than 30 images in support of Marine Corps operations during 2020.

The images were captured by COMMSTRAT Marines and civilians from air, land and sea. Covering everything from boot camp to exercises with allies, firefighting to innovation and comradery to determination, the images give a glimpse into today's Marine Corps.

This exhibition is the first of many shows COMMSTRAT will produce for this space.

See more images of the exhibit here.

Female Marine holding an eagle, globe and anchor.

Recent Acquisitions Exhibit

The artifacts in this case were recently added to the museum's collection and illustrate the wide variety of items which the Museum collects and cares for in perpetuity.

Preserving the Past

The Museum's collection includes more than 60,000 artifacts -- ranging from early uniform buttons to 70-ton main battle tanks. At any one time, approximately 10% of the collection is on display within the museum with the remainder either on loan to other museums or Marine Corps units, undergoing conservation, or professionally stored for future display or study by researchers. Artifacts are acquired by the museum by a variety of means; but all acquisitions are guided by the museum's Collections Rationale and selected by the curators, based on their provenance, condition, and overall value to the collection.

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

A Tribute in Silver

Silver objects have long been representative of 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. This collection of silver objects displays a strong tradition of achievement and excellence in the Marine Corps.

Battles Won -- Marine Corps Recruiting Command Sculptures by Kris Kuksi

With each piece, these sculptures of Marines represent various battles throughout the history of the Corps. The emotions in the sculpted faces reflect the struggles they have lived through on the battlefield or during humanitarian relief missions and the personal challenges they endured to become Marines.

The three works present different chapters in the "Longer Marine Corps Story." Each features a core sculpture that is surrounded by many small figures, which together form iconic representations of the Marines' core values, traditions, and victories throughout history. The first -- "At Their Core" -- evokes challenges faced on the battlefield. The second chapter -- " A Nation's Call" -- represents the nation and the battles this country and the Marine Corps have faced together and won. The third--"Waged in Will" -- is reminiscent of Marine Corps training and transformation: winning the battle within and emerging as quality citizens who better the nation.

Together, these sculptures display long-lasting Marine Corps traditions and the elite attitude, ethos, and purpose of the service as Marines.

Visitors to the Museum can view the sculptures on our second deck, next to the Combat Art Gallery.

Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts Exhibit

Take one step beyond the air, land, and sea with Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts, a new temporary exhibition featuring 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 worn and used by established Marine astronauts in the exhibit.

Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts runs through January 2024.