| The National World War II Museum, formerly known as The National D-Day Museum |
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| MUSEUM PAVILLION AT NIGHT |
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We in Louisiana are very proud and fortunate to have The National World War II Museum located here in our great state. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as the country's official World War II Museum, this remarkable attraction illuminates the American experience during the WWII era with moving personal stories, historic artifacts, and powerful interactive displays. From the Normandy invasion to the sands of Pacific Islands and the Home Front, the Museum brings to life the teamwork, optimism, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who won the war and changed the world.
The Museum is an incomparable experience for generations and not to be missed on any visit to New Orleans. Come learn with your mind and your heart that freedom isn't free.
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| FRONT OF MUSEUM |
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Dr. Stephen Ambrose, University of New Orleans Boyd Professor History, founded The National World War II Museum Foundation in New Orleans in 1991. The Museum, which opened on June 6, 2000, is the only museum in the United States that addresses all of the amphibious invasions or "D-days" of World War II, paying tribute to more than one million Americans who took part.
The National World War II Museum opened its doors on the 56th anniversary of the Normandy invasion that liberated Europe.
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| HIGGINS BOAT ON DISPLAY |
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It is located in New Orleans, Louisiana because it was here that Andrew Higgins built the landing craft used in the amphibious invasions; the landing craft which President Eisenhower believed won the war for the Allies. The Museum stands as our country's tribute to the men and women who made the invasions in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific theaters successful. It presents their stories to an international audience, preserves material for research and scholarship, and inspires future generations to apply the lessons learned from the most complex military operation ever staged.
A reproduction LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) or Higgins Boat built from original World War II plans by former Higgins employees is displayed at the Museum.
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| EXPANSION AT NIGHT |
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The National World War II Museum unveiled its $300 million expansion and Capital Campaign plan that will quadruple the size of the existing facility over the next five years. The expanded Museum will cover all of the theaters and services that played a role in World War II and create a national center for research on the war.
After Hurricane Katrina, many people expected the National World War II Museum to abandon its ambitious expansion program; however, the Museum's Board of Trustees felt differently. The Museum is ready to begin demolishing buildings in the 1000 block of Magazine Street and constructing the first phase of the expansion that when finished will help attract as many as 750,000 to 1 million visitors a year, three to four times more than it was drawing before Katrina.
The targeted deadline, originally set for 2011, was pushed back to 2014 after Katrina.
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| EXHIBIT WALL IN MUSEUM |
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