National World War II Museum
Encyclopedia
The National World War II Museum, formerly known as the National D-Day Museum, is a museum
located in the Central Business District
of New Orleans, Louisiana
, at the corner of Andrew Higgins Boulevard and Magazine Street. It focuses on the contribution made by the United States
to victory by the Allies in World War II
, and the Battle of Normandy
in particular. It was designated by the U.S. Congress as "America's National World War II Museum" in 2003, and the museum maintains an affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution
. The mission statement of the museum emphasizes the American experience in WW II.
The museum opened its doors to the public on June 6, 2000, the 56th anniversary of D-Day
. The museum has a large atrium where aircraft and other items are suspended from the ceiling. The building is several stories high and consists of two multi-level sections which are connected only by the main floor atrium. Elevator
s are available in addition to stairs and a ramp. Visitors begin their self-guided tour of the museum on the top floor and work their way down toward the ground floor in each section. The museum goes in chronological order; that is, the top floor assesses the political, social, and economic conditions that led up to World War II and D-Day. For example, the museum compares the relative military strengths of major nations entering the war. Later visitors see a model of the beaches of Normandy with the relative positions of the number of aircraft and amphibious vehicle
s. However, the museum does not solely discuss the invasion; visitors may also view an electronic map of the Pacific Ocean
that lights up to illustrate the Allied strategy of island hopping, culminating with nuclear attacks on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki in August 1945.
In addition to the main section of the museum on the War in the Pacific and the War against Germany, the museum includes a special section on the Normandy Invasion and also a section on the Higgins Industries
of New Orleans that designed and built the amphibious landing craft. The third floor includes an observation deck for viewing the WWII aircraft hanging from the ceiling. The second floor has reserved space for visiting exhibits and for special exhibits that change over time.
Visitors to the museum are encouraged to allocate roughly 2½ to 3 hours to tour the museum. The museum also contains two auditoriums where educational videos are played, as well as a gift shop
. An orientation film, "Beyond All Boundaries", introduces the visitor to the general topics of the museum. A variety of other multi-media displays are part of the museum's presentations. The museum includes a restaurant for visitors operated by noted chef John Besh
. The museum sponsors a wargaming
club and holds a wargame convention each year called "Heat of Battle".
Some may wonder why the National World War II Museum is located in New Orleans, a city known for other tourism
sites, but which is not usually associated with twentieth-century military history. The main reason the museum is located in New Orleans is because the city was where the "Higgins Boats" vital to D-Day operations were designed, built, and tested. The museum gives extensive coverage of the "LCVP
" or "Higgins Boat" landing craft used in the invasion of Normandy
and elsewhere. These landing craft were designed by Andrew Higgins
of Louisiana and produced in New Orleans by Higgins Industries
and its licensees. Furthermore, New Orleans was the home city of historian Stephen Ambrose
, who spearheaded the effort to build such a museum.
The Museum closed for three months after Hurricane Katrina
ravaged New Orleans in 2005, re-opening on December 3 of that year. A museum banner promoted this re-opening by proclaiming "We Have Returned," a phrase the banner juxtaposed with the classic World War II
photograph of General Douglas MacArthur
striding through the surf on his return to the Philippines. As of 2009, the Museum was in the midst of a $300 million expansion. Expansion of the museum is reported to be resulting in significant increases in attendance at its currently six acre campus. The John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion opened on June 4, 2011, with detailed expansion plans available.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
located in the Central Business District
New Orleans Central Business District
The Central Business District is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the French Quarter/CBD Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Iberville, Decatur and Canal Streets to the north, the Mississippi River to the east, the New Orleans Morial...
of New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, at the corner of Andrew Higgins Boulevard and Magazine Street. It focuses on the contribution made by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to victory by the Allies in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and the Battle of Normandy
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
in particular. It was designated by the U.S. Congress as "America's National World War II Museum" in 2003, and the museum maintains an affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. The mission statement of the museum emphasizes the American experience in WW II.
Museum description
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
. The museum has a large atrium where aircraft and other items are suspended from the ceiling. The building is several stories high and consists of two multi-level sections which are connected only by the main floor atrium. Elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s are available in addition to stairs and a ramp. Visitors begin their self-guided tour of the museum on the top floor and work their way down toward the ground floor in each section. The museum goes in chronological order; that is, the top floor assesses the political, social, and economic conditions that led up to World War II and D-Day. For example, the museum compares the relative military strengths of major nations entering the war. Later visitors see a model of the beaches of Normandy with the relative positions of the number of aircraft and amphibious vehicle
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
s. However, the museum does not solely discuss the invasion; visitors may also view an electronic map of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
that lights up to illustrate the Allied strategy of island hopping, culminating with nuclear attacks on Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
and Nagasaki in August 1945.
In addition to the main section of the museum on the War in the Pacific and the War against Germany, the museum includes a special section on the Normandy Invasion and also a section on the Higgins Industries
Higgins Industries
Higgins Industries was the company owned by Andrew Higgins based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Higgins is most famous for the design and production of the Higgins boat, an amphibious landing craft referred to as LCVP, which were used extensively in D-Day Invasion of Normandy...
of New Orleans that designed and built the amphibious landing craft. The third floor includes an observation deck for viewing the WWII aircraft hanging from the ceiling. The second floor has reserved space for visiting exhibits and for special exhibits that change over time.
Visitors to the museum are encouraged to allocate roughly 2½ to 3 hours to tour the museum. The museum also contains two auditoriums where educational videos are played, as well as a gift shop
Gift shop
A gift shop is a store primarily selling souvenirs relating to a particular topic or theme. The items sold often include coffee mugs, stuffed animals, t-shirts, postcards, handmade collections and other souvenirs....
. An orientation film, "Beyond All Boundaries", introduces the visitor to the general topics of the museum. A variety of other multi-media displays are part of the museum's presentations. The museum includes a restaurant for visitors operated by noted chef John Besh
John Besh
John Besh is the owner and executive chef at restaurant August in New Orleans, Louisiana , and owns six other restaurants: La Provence, The American Sector, Lüke , Besh Steak , and Domenica in the Roosevelt Hotel...
. The museum sponsors a wargaming
Wargaming
A wargame is a strategy game that deals with military operations of various types, real or fictional. Wargaming is the hobby dedicated to the play of such games, which can also be called conflict simulations, or consims for short. When used professionally to study warfare, it is generally known as...
club and holds a wargame convention each year called "Heat of Battle".
Relation to New Orleans
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
sites, but which is not usually associated with twentieth-century military history. The main reason the museum is located in New Orleans is because the city was where the "Higgins Boats" vital to D-Day operations were designed, built, and tested. The museum gives extensive coverage of the "LCVP
LCVP
The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. The craft was designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, United States, based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes...
" or "Higgins Boat" landing craft used in the invasion of Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
and elsewhere. These landing craft were designed by Andrew Higgins
Andrew Higgins
Andrew Jackson Higgins was the founder and owner of Higgins Industries, the New Orleans-based manufacturer of "Higgins boats" during World War II. General Dwight Eisenhower is quoted as saying, "Andrew Higgins ... is the man who won the war for us. .....
of Louisiana and produced in New Orleans by Higgins Industries
Higgins Industries
Higgins Industries was the company owned by Andrew Higgins based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Higgins is most famous for the design and production of the Higgins boat, an amphibious landing craft referred to as LCVP, which were used extensively in D-Day Invasion of Normandy...
and its licensees. Furthermore, New Orleans was the home city of historian Stephen Ambrose
Stephen Ambrose
Stephen Edward Ambrose was an American historian and biographer of U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. He was a long time professor of history at the University of New Orleans and the author of many best selling volumes of American popular history...
, who spearheaded the effort to build such a museum.
The Museum closed for three months after Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
ravaged New Orleans in 2005, re-opening on December 3 of that year. A museum banner promoted this re-opening by proclaiming "We Have Returned," a phrase the banner juxtaposed with the classic World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
photograph of General Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
striding through the surf on his return to the Philippines. As of 2009, the Museum was in the midst of a $300 million expansion. Expansion of the museum is reported to be resulting in significant increases in attendance at its currently six acre campus. The John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion opened on June 4, 2011, with detailed expansion plans available.
See also
- National D-Day MemorialNational D-Day MemorialThe National D-Day Memorial is a war memorial located in Bedford, Virginia. It serves as the national memorial for American D-Day veterans. However, its scope is international in that it states, "In Tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944" and commends...
- National Museum of the Pacific WarNational Museum of the Pacific WarThe National Museum of the Pacific War is located in Fredericksburg, Texas, the boyhood home of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Fleet Admiral Nimitz served as CinCPAC, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet during World War II...
- National World War II MemorialNational World War II MemorialThe U.S. National World War II Memorial is a National Memorial dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II...
- United States Marine Corps War MemorialUSMC War MemorialThe Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue outside the walls of the Arlington National Cemetery and next to the Netherlands Carillon, in Arlington, Virginia, in the United States. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps who have died in the...
(Iwo Jima) - National World War I Museum
- National Civil War MuseumNational Civil War MuseumThe National Civil War Museum, located at One Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a permanent, nonprofit educational institution created to promote the preservation of material culture and sources of information that are directly relevant to the American Civil War of...
- Museum of the Great Patriotic War, MoscowMuseum of the Great Patriotic War, MoscowThe Museum of the Great Patriotic War is a history museum located in Moscow at Poklonnaya Gora. The building was designed by architect Anatoly Polyansky. Work on the museum began on March 3, 1986, and the museum was opened to the public on May 9, 1995...
- Museum of the Great Patriotic War, KievMuseum of the Great Patriotic War, KievThe National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War is a memorial complex commemorating the German-Soviet War located in the southern outskirts of the Pechersk district of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, on the picturesque hills on the right-bank of the Dnieper River.The museum has moved...
- Imperial War MuseumImperial War MuseumImperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
- La Coupole World War II MuseumLa CoupoleLa Coupole , codenamed Bauvorhaben 21 , Schotterwerk Nordwest or Wizernes, is a Second World War bunker complex built by the forces of Nazi Germany between 1943 and 1944 to serve as a launch base for V-2 rockets against London and southern England...
- United States Holocaust Memorial MuseumUnited States Holocaust Memorial MuseumThe United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the United States' official memorial to the Holocaust. Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history...