By Rachel Cooper
Washington, DC Expert, about.com
The National Marine Corps Museum, opened to the public on November 13, 2006, as a tribute to U.S. Marines, a state-of-the-art museum that uses interactive technology, multi-media exhibits and thousands of artifacts to bring to life the values, mission, and culture of the Marine Corps. The National Marine Corps Museum is designed to help visitors see, feel and appreciate what it means to be in the Marine Corps. It is located on a 135-acre site next to the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia, a short drive south of Washington, DC.
Construction Update:
Construction has begun on the final phase of the museum. The new
section will open in phases over a 4-year period with the first part
opening in 2017. As a part of the overall construction, the museum will
be closed January - March 2016.
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The focal point of the National Marine Corps Museum building is a soaring, 210-foot tilted mast atop a 160-foot glass atrium. This design was inspired by the famous Iwo Jima flag raising of World War II, the image that also inspired the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
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The focal point of the National Marine Corps Museum building is a soaring, 210-foot tilted mast atop a 160-foot glass atrium. This design was inspired by the famous Iwo Jima flag raising of World War II, the image that also inspired the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
Exhibits and Galleries
Visitors
learn about the evolution of the Marine Corps and its history through
exhibits that put them in the middle of the action, from witnessing a
grueling boot camp experience, walking through a winter battlefield
scene from the Korean War, and listening to recordings of Marine oral histories.
The National Marine Corps Museum features era galleries that highlight the role of the Marines during World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Future exhibits will chronicle the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I as well as more recent initiatives in Panama, Kuwait, and the Balkans. Each exhibit addresses the political climate at the time, the specific role of the Marines, and how those experiences affected American history.
The National Marine Corps Museum features era galleries that highlight the role of the Marines during World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Future exhibits will chronicle the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I as well as more recent initiatives in Panama, Kuwait, and the Balkans. Each exhibit addresses the political climate at the time, the specific role of the Marines, and how those experiences affected American history.
Marine Corps Heritage Center
The
National Marine Corps Museum is a part of the Marine Corps Heritage
Center, which is a complex of facilities that also includes a memorial park,
parade grounds, artifact restoration facilities, and an on-site
conference center and hotel. The Museum and Marine Corps Heritage Center
together make Quantico a vibrant destination for Marines and civilians
alike to share ideas about the role of the Marines through history and
their influence on American values of freedom, discipline, courage and
sacrifice.
Other Museum Facilities
The National Marine
Corps Museum has two restaurants, a gift shop, large-screen
state-of-the-art theater (planned), class-rooms, and office spaces.
Location
18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, Virginia. (800) 397-7585.[post_ads_2]
The Quantico Marine Corps Base and the National Marine Corps Museum are located off of Interstate 95 in Virginia, 36 miles south of Washington DC and 20 miles north of Fredericksburg.
The Quantico Marine Corps Base and the National Marine Corps Museum are located off of Interstate 95 in Virginia, 36 miles south of Washington DC and 20 miles north of Fredericksburg.
Hours
Open Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Christmas Day)
Admission
Admission and parking are free. A flight simulator and a M-16 A2 rifle range cost $5 each.
Official Website: www.usmcmuseum.org
For information on more races throughout the year.
