From tavern to tradition: The Nat’l Museum of the Marine Corps

For all Americans, our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the armed services stationed around the globe. These brave and highly trained military men and women help weave the fabric of contemporary American history. The heroic story of one of the elite branches of the U.S. military — the Marine Corps — has been put on permanent and marvelous display. The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened its doors on Nov. 10, 2006.

Marine Corps history is featured in the state-of-the-art museum and research study center, located on a 135-acre site adjacent to the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va.

Published: Sunday, May 17, 2009 5:13 AM EDT

For all Americans, our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the armed services stationed around the globe. These brave and highly trained military men and women help weave the fabric of contemporary American history. The heroic story of one of the elite branches of the U.S. military — the Marine Corps — has been put on permanent and marvelous display. The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened its doors on Nov. 10, 2006. Marine Corps history is featured in the state-of-the-art museum and research study center, located on a 135-acre site adjacent to the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va.

Humble beginnings

Interestingly, the birthplace of the Marines was actually a pub located in Philadelphia called the Tun Tavern. Legend has it that Capt. Samuel Nicholas began recruiting Marines in the Tun Tavern on Nov. 10, 1775. Early in America’s history, the Second Continental Congress decided to raise two battalions of Marines, and by 1798, an official act of Congress officially created the U.S. Marine Corps.

Post-modern marvel

The museum’s architecture rivals that of major national museums, and its collections span the story of the U.S. Marine Corps. The post-modern attention to detail and interest in regionalism all work in tandem in this new military museum. Designed by the architectural firm of Fentress Bradburn, the museum is visible from Interstate 95. About 20 miles from Washington D.C., the museum’s architectural centerpiece ascends 210 feet high at its pinnacle. It is a dramatic glass-and-steel structure inspired by the world-famous image of a group of Marines raising the American flag over Iwo Jima during World War II. Based on the composition of Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal’s photograph, the overall form of the museum reminds visitors of the struggle, sacrifice and success of the Marines throughout our military history.

The museum reflects the dedication of the Marines and highlights the Corps’ rich history. For instance, the main entrance plaza stirs memories of approaching a beachhead from military watercraft, the interior skylight space feels like a military ship’s interior and the exhibition galleries use interactive signage, audio/video and lasers to simulate the Marine experience from boot camp to tour of duty. The exhibition designers’ attention to detail is obvious as they employed mammoth-scale Marine photographs, famous quotations of Marine heroism and life-size mannequins modeled after actual Marines to make the visitor’s experience a strikingly true-to-life didactic and emotional one.

Some of the impressive military objects on display include the first and second American flags raised on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, in February of 1945, an F4U Corsair fighter like those flown by Marines in the Pacific during World War II, a UH-1E “Huey” helicopter used during the Vietnam War, the famed Mameluke sword carried by Marine officers since the early 19th Century, and a leatherneck stock worn around the necks of 18th Century Marines to protect from sword slashes to the throat.

Combat artwork

Another attractive aspect of the museum is its combat art gallery. Featuring works of art by combat artists, the expansive gallery hosts pieces highlighting subjects including active Marines and American military history. American artists Howard Chandler Christy’s (1873-1952) painting “First in Flight,” from 1917-18, and the work called “Fly with the US Marines,” circa 1920, by James Montgomery Flagg (1977-1960), both demonstrate the valor and commitment of the Marines. These works are flanked by inspirational paintings by combat artist and Staff Sgt. USMC Tom Lovel (1909-1997). Contemporary realist and combat artist, Colonel USMC Donna Neary (b. 1941) offered a moving painting called “Liberty Rising” that visually commented on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Beyond measure

This American history museum is not only a tribute to our brave Marines, but it is already a “must-see” tourist destination. This new museum stands sentinel as a vastly important history-and-learning center, breathtaking exhibition and preservation space, and a humbling site to behold.

(Ph.D. antiques appraiser and award-winning TV personality and TV talk show host, Dr. Lori presents antiques appraisal events nationwide. Join her on her next vacation cruise focusing on antiques. Watch Dr. Lori across the country on the Fine Living Network’s “Worth Every Penny” and on “Daytime” which airs on MyNetworkTV WQMY-DT at 10 am. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call 888-431-1010)

Ellie