The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines--past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, the Museum's soaring design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000-square-foot structure. World-class interactive exhibits using the most innovative technology

The collections held in trust at the National Museum of the Marine Corps document over 230 years of Marine Corps history. The mission of the Museum is to collect and preserve in perpetuity, artifacts that reflect and chronicle the history of the Corps. The more than 60,000 uniforms, weapons, vehicles, medals, flags, aircraft, works of art and other artifacts in the Museum’s collections trace the history of the Marine Corps from 1775 to the present.

The Museum's holdings, which range from combat aircraft to individual Civil War era blouse buttons, are divided into five broad categories: ordnance, uniforms and heraldry, aviation, art and general. Some of the more unusual items in the care of the Museum include a coat worn by Marine Captain Levi Twiggs during his service in the Indian Wars, a presentation baton given to John Philip Sousa on his departure as director of the Marine Corps Band, and an Oscar awarded to the Marine Corps for the World War II documentary “Tarawa.” Perhaps the most symbolically important artifact in the Museum’s collection is the second American flag raised over Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi. Associated Press combat photographer Joe Rosenthal’s image of the raising of this flag became one of the most iconic images of World War II and the inspiration for the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Museum collects artifacts selectively and responsively – accepting only those items which are needed and the Museum has the resources to properly care for. Beyond utilizing the collections for exhibitions, the collections of the National Museum of the Marine Corps serve as research aids and reference materials for historians, authors and film makers.

If you have items that you think would help the National Museum of the Marine Corps in its mission to preserve and exhibit Marine Corps history.

The Education Department supports the mission of the Museum by developing educational materials and conducting education programs for teachers, students, and families to increase their awareness of the history of the Marine Corps. Since opening to the public in November 2006, over one million people have visited the Museum, including thousands of school groups, scout troops, and other youth organizations.

A field trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to experience United States history through the eyes of a Marine. In every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror, Marines have always been the “first to fight for right and freedom”. By defending freedom no matter the cost, Marines have exemplified the qualities of honor, courage, and commitment since the Corps´ founding in 1775. Generations of courageous Marines have done so all over the world, not only “from the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli” but also to Iwo Jima, Chosin, Khe Sanh, and Fallujah. The Museum is a reminder that the freedom we enjoy in America has never been free. It is also a tribute to the determined and spirited men and women who today proudly claim the title of United States Marine.

The interactive nature of the Museum encourages students to use all of their senses to achieve an appreciation for the Marine Corps´ impact on American history. Students will experience historical events as though they were really there. In the World War II gallery, students board a landing craft in preparation for the assault on Iwo Jima. In the Korean War gallery, they face the frozen conditions at Toktong Pass. And In the Vietnam gallery students are airlifted by helicopter into a hot landing zone on Hill 881 South. Through these and other realistic experiences, a field trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps brings to life what students only read about in their text books. It is certain to be a fun, educational, and memorable experience for students and teachers alike.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps preserves and exhibits the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps; honors the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines; supports recruitment, training, education, and retention of Marines; and provides the public with a readily accessible platform for the exploration of Marine Corps history.