The National World War II Museum tells the story of the American experience in this global war—why it was fought, how it was won and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Opened on June 6, 2000, by renowned historian, author and educator, Stephen Ambrose, it is the only museum in the U.S. that addresses all of the amphibious invasions or “D-Days” of World War II, honoring the more than 16 million Americans who took part in the conflict.
The museum, now designated by Congress as the country’s official museum of the World War II, celebrates the American spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought on the front lines and on the home front. From the beaches of Normandy to the sands of Iwo Jima, the National World War II Museum’s exhibitions blend personal accounts, artifacts, documents, photographs and never-before-seen film footage to tell the stories of the amphibious landings that made victory in World War II possible. Special exhibitions draw on collections and relevant traveling exhibitions to further explore and illustrate the war.
Permanent exhibit galleries, located on the second and third floors of the museum, are divided into four areas: The Home Front, Planning for D-Day, the D-Day Beaches and the D-Day Invasions in the Pacific. Some exhibits include models of aircrafts, warships and soldiers arranged to depict battles; a re-creation of a German observation and command post; a weapons display that depicts American and Japanese uniforms, weapons and equipment; and posters, artifacts and videos about the different cultures of the countries that were involved in the conflict. In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum shows two movies in its Malcolm S. Forbes Theatre several times each day: Price for Peace and D-Day Remembered.
“Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings” is the special traveling exhibition that will be on display at the museum until May 23. On loan from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, this exhibit provides visitors with a vivid look at the first steps the Nazis took to suppress freedom of expression and the response that occurred in the U.S. The installation focuses on how book burnings in Germany became an important symbol during World War II
in America’s battle against Nazism, and examines how the Nazi book burnings have continued to resonate in American politics, literature and pop culture.
Three new attractions opened at the museum last November—the Solomon Victory Theater, Stage Door Canteen entertainment venue and the American Sector restaurant, which serves up American comfort food with a gourmet twist.
The venues represent just one phase of the museum’s ongoing $300 million expansion. The Solomon Victory Theater screens the 4-D film Beyond All Boundaries, a 35-minute immersive journey from Pearl Harbor to VJ Day, using rare archival footage and images.
Audiences at the new Stage Door Canteen can take a musical journey back to the 1930s during the “Let Freedom Swing!” show, featuring classic songs such as In the Mood, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and I’ll Be Seeing You. “Let Freedom Swing!” plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. Also playing at the Stage Door Canteen from 9 to 11 p.m. May 15 is Kermit Ruffins, a New Orleans-based jazz trumpeter, singer and composer.