thedrifter
07-31-05, 07:16 AM
Posted on Fri, Jul. 29, 2005
The proud history of Marines
BYRON CROWLEY
The Marine Corps Museum at Parris Island, S.C., was dedicated in 1975 and contains more than 10,000 square feet of displays, making it one of the largest museums in the Southeast. Appropriately located in the War Memorial Building, it serves as a monument to Marines of the past as well as a source of inspiration for Marines of the future.
. The museum is full of exhibits of the many wars the Marines have been called upon to fight and includes 127 types of weapons used by Marines or their enemies during these conflicts. There is an exhibit of vintage uniforms and weapons, as well as displays showing Marines in World War II and Vietnam. Civil War buffs, as well as children, will enjoy the big Civil War display with its miniature battle scenes.
Distance
From Charlotte, it's 232 miles, about a 4 1/2-hour drive, one-way.
Getting there
Take Interstate 77 South to Columbia, then 1nterstate 26 East toward Charleston. At exit 169A, take Interstate 95 South; exit onto U.S. 17/21; Stay on U.S. 21 South through Beaufort. Turn right (south) onto S.C. 280 then left onto S.C. 802. After being OK'd by the Marine sentry, continue to Panama Street and Building 111.
To see and do
A good starting point would be to watch an informative movie geared to the parents of Marines in training at the Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot. The museum is seen as a way to help the families of new Marines understand the Parris Island experience by explaining the region's military heritage.Passing into the rotunda, you'll see a miniature replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial. Around the rotunda, on both decks (floors), are eight more wall cases containing uniforms, weapons, pictures and accouterments depicting Marine Crops recruit training at Parris Island from 1915 to the 2000s.
The Contemporary Room on the first deck allows visitors to follow recruits' experience from the "boots' " first arrival at Parris Island through graduation.
The Local Military History Wing covers the military history of the Port Royal area, from the early Spanish and French exploration of Parris Island to the current Marine Corps Air Station. There are a number of 16th-century artifacts recovered from digs on the Charlesfort/Santa Elena site.
In the stair halls leading to the second deck are temporary displays on the history of the Marine Corps. Also featured is a junior recruit course that children can take and earn a patch while touring the museum. (Ask at the front desk for details.)
Off the second-deck rotunda is the Weapon's Room, displaying 11 long arms used by the Marine Corps. They range from the Revolutionary War short land pattern musket to the M-16. There is also an exhibit case containing weapons used against the Marines during various 20th-century campaigns.
Visitors will see a Dahlgren Boat Howitzer -- a 12-pounder, mounted on field carriage that could be used at sea or on shore. An M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer, widely used by Marine and airborne troops in World War II, is on display. This weapon could be broken down into eight components for easy storage and travel.
In the West Wing are displays about women Marines, World War I, the Banana (Caribbean) Wars, China Marines, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon and Desert Storm.
The World War II exhibit highlights the major campaigns of the Marines, both amphibious and land assaults. The extensive exhibit covers Pearl Harbor, Corregidor, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Iwo Jima and Guam. The exhibit has American and Japanese weapons, a regimental plaque kept by members of the 4th Marine Regiment throughout their captivity and an American flag raised over the recaptured Marine Barracks on Guam in 1944.
Details
The museum is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. On Thursdays before graduations, the museum is open until 7 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Easter. For information, call (843) 228-2951. Admission is free, but proof of automobile insurance must be shown to the Marine guard at the Marine Depot gate, or go to www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/forms/vehicle_pass.htm and complete the request for a pass.
Ellie
The proud history of Marines
BYRON CROWLEY
The Marine Corps Museum at Parris Island, S.C., was dedicated in 1975 and contains more than 10,000 square feet of displays, making it one of the largest museums in the Southeast. Appropriately located in the War Memorial Building, it serves as a monument to Marines of the past as well as a source of inspiration for Marines of the future.
. The museum is full of exhibits of the many wars the Marines have been called upon to fight and includes 127 types of weapons used by Marines or their enemies during these conflicts. There is an exhibit of vintage uniforms and weapons, as well as displays showing Marines in World War II and Vietnam. Civil War buffs, as well as children, will enjoy the big Civil War display with its miniature battle scenes.
Distance
From Charlotte, it's 232 miles, about a 4 1/2-hour drive, one-way.
Getting there
Take Interstate 77 South to Columbia, then 1nterstate 26 East toward Charleston. At exit 169A, take Interstate 95 South; exit onto U.S. 17/21; Stay on U.S. 21 South through Beaufort. Turn right (south) onto S.C. 280 then left onto S.C. 802. After being OK'd by the Marine sentry, continue to Panama Street and Building 111.
To see and do
A good starting point would be to watch an informative movie geared to the parents of Marines in training at the Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot. The museum is seen as a way to help the families of new Marines understand the Parris Island experience by explaining the region's military heritage.Passing into the rotunda, you'll see a miniature replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial. Around the rotunda, on both decks (floors), are eight more wall cases containing uniforms, weapons, pictures and accouterments depicting Marine Crops recruit training at Parris Island from 1915 to the 2000s.
The Contemporary Room on the first deck allows visitors to follow recruits' experience from the "boots' " first arrival at Parris Island through graduation.
The Local Military History Wing covers the military history of the Port Royal area, from the early Spanish and French exploration of Parris Island to the current Marine Corps Air Station. There are a number of 16th-century artifacts recovered from digs on the Charlesfort/Santa Elena site.
In the stair halls leading to the second deck are temporary displays on the history of the Marine Corps. Also featured is a junior recruit course that children can take and earn a patch while touring the museum. (Ask at the front desk for details.)
Off the second-deck rotunda is the Weapon's Room, displaying 11 long arms used by the Marine Corps. They range from the Revolutionary War short land pattern musket to the M-16. There is also an exhibit case containing weapons used against the Marines during various 20th-century campaigns.
Visitors will see a Dahlgren Boat Howitzer -- a 12-pounder, mounted on field carriage that could be used at sea or on shore. An M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer, widely used by Marine and airborne troops in World War II, is on display. This weapon could be broken down into eight components for easy storage and travel.
In the West Wing are displays about women Marines, World War I, the Banana (Caribbean) Wars, China Marines, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon and Desert Storm.
The World War II exhibit highlights the major campaigns of the Marines, both amphibious and land assaults. The extensive exhibit covers Pearl Harbor, Corregidor, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Iwo Jima and Guam. The exhibit has American and Japanese weapons, a regimental plaque kept by members of the 4th Marine Regiment throughout their captivity and an American flag raised over the recaptured Marine Barracks on Guam in 1944.
Details
The museum is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. On Thursdays before graduations, the museum is open until 7 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Easter. For information, call (843) 228-2951. Admission is free, but proof of automobile insurance must be shown to the Marine guard at the Marine Depot gate, or go to www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/forms/vehicle_pass.htm and complete the request for a pass.
Ellie