Marines


News
Base Logo
Official U.S. Marine Corps Website
Crossroads of the Marine Corps
Photo Information

The UH-34D helicopter, a new display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, shows Marines deploying during the Vietnam War.

Photo by Valerie O'Berry

National Museum of the Marine Corps open again for visitors

7 Apr 2016 | NMMC Staff Marine Corps Base Quantico

After temporarily closing its doors nearly three months ago, the National Museum of the Marine Corps re-opened to the public on April 1. Visitors now will discover a recently restored World War II SBD Dauntless dive bomber and Vietnam-era Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter, which were installed during the closure. The Dauntless now hangs from the soaring glass of the Museum’s central gallery, while the UH-34D is positioned in a ground-level display recreating a scene of Marines disembarking under enemy fire.

“Every Marine who walks through our doors deserves to see a piece of their story told in the Museum,” said Lin Ezell, director of the Museum. “The addition of these historic aircrafts furthers the Museum’s efforts to more completely represent the entire history of the Marine Corps.”

The Museum’s re-opening is a significant benchmark in the campaign to complete the Museum. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation broke ground on the construction of the Museum’s final phase last March. An additional 117,000 square feet of physical space will be built to make room for two historical galleries depicting the service of the men and women who served in the Marine Corps from 1976 through present day. The space will also include a giant-screen theater, expanded education suite and children’s gallery, a sports gallery, art gallery, Hall of Valor and more. The construction is scheduled to be finished in 2017, with galleries beginning to open the same year. All exhibits are expected to be completed in 2020.

“The Museum team did a remarkable job restoring these Marine aircraft and bringing them to life for future visitors from across this region and around the world,” remarked Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, Jr., president and CEO of the Foundation. “What we were able to accomplish during this closure is a reminder of the work we have yet to do on behalf of those Marines who have served since the Vietnam War, and the importance of ensuring we complete this mission.”

After the April 1 re-opening, the Museum resumed its normal schedule, welcoming visitors 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day of the year except December 25. Visitors will also enjoy free parking and admission.

The Museum is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. It is located at 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Triangle, Virginia. For more information, call 703-784-6107 or visit www.usmcmuseum.com.

Marine Corps Base Quantico