NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PACIFIC WAR A FUN LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Interweaving the stories of America, China, Japan and other Asian countries, the chronicle of how World War II was won in the Pacific can be found in Fredericksburg at the National Museum of the Pacific War.

The museum, now a Smithsonian Affiliate, honors the more than 100,000 Americans who gave their lives in the war against Japan by “truthfully and respectfully telling the story of their struggles, their sacrifices and their triumphs.”

The museum also honors the eight million Americans who served in World War II across the globe.

Formerly known as the Nimitz Museum, in honor of Fredericksburg’s native son, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, it was renamed to respect the wishes of Nimitz who wanted to ensure that all of the men and women who served and supported the war effort were honored. Nimitz served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas and led the naval victory against Japan.

Having achieved the rank of Fleet Admiral before his final victories, Nimitz signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the United States in the historic ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. Nimitz is memorialized with an eight-foot bronze statue that stands on the museum grounds.

“The National Museum of the Pacific War connects people to the experiences and stories of those affected by World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater by interpreting its enduring relevance,” said a spokesperson for the museum.

This mission of the museum is to “Operate and support the state-owned museum experience through its extensive collection, to educate and inspire present and future generations about World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and the continued global relevance of its lessons.”

The museum also strives to preserve the memories of those who served there and those who never returned home as well as facilitate programs that honor and support all veterans, past and present.

MAIN MUSEUM CAMPUS

Encompassing six acres, museum visitors can explore 33,000 square feet of indoor exhibits featuring dozens of media presentations, almost 1,000 artifacts in climate-controlled cases, 15 macro-artifacts and hundreds of photographs.

EVENTS

• MARCH 27: NAVY FIGHTER PLANES OF WORLD WAR II • APRIL 3: COMMUNICATIONS ON THE BATTLEFIELD • APRIL 17: WOMEN IN UNIFORM • APRIL 24: THEME TO BE DETERMINED • THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND THE FREE

PROGRAMS, PRESENTED IN THE OPEN AIR OF THE

MUSEUM’S MEMORIAL COURTYARD. PROGRAM TIMES

FOR EACH SATURDAY ARE: 10 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 11 A.M., 11:30 A.M., 1 P.M. AND 1:30 P.M.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is one of Fredericksburg’s largest tourist attractions. It tells the story of World War II, from the war’s beginning to Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri.

— Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the Pacific War

One of the elite military museums in the nation, the main museum building at 311 E. Austin St. houses the George H.W. Bush Gallery with the adjacent Plaza of Presidents. Across the Memorial Courtyard, the Japanese Garden of Peace is a few steps away. The Admiral Nimitz Gallery is located inside the historic Nimitz Hotel building facing Main Street. Just two blocks away are the Oveta Culp Hobby Education Center and the Pacific Combat Zone.

Exhibits in the George H.W. Bush Gallery convey the shock and destruction of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, including one of the five Japanese, two-man subs that took part in the attack. In the same building, the museum archives hold thousands of manuscripts, official documents, photographs and oral histories of veterans. The archives are housed in the Nimitz Education and Research Center which is open to the public by appointment only.

In the Memorial Courtyard, the museum honors individuals, ships and units who fought in the Pacific Theater. The Japanese Garden of Peace was a gift to Americans from the people of Japan and is a tribute

to Japanese Admiral Heihachiro Togo whom Nimitz admired. It includes a replica of Togo’s study in Japan.

The Admiral Nimitz Gallery features exhibits of Nimitz’ strategy and tactics in his defeat of the Japanese, a wide array of Nimitz’ own artifacts and new digital interactives, including a chance for visitors to try their hands at refueling a battleship at sea, “island-hopping” toward Japan’s mainland, and even running the Nimitz Hotel in the 1800s.

PACIFIC COMBAT ZONE

The Pacific Combat Zone is a unique two-acre indoor/outdoor exhibit and one of the museum’s most popular venues.

The PT (Patrol, Torpedo) boat exhibit allows guests to see how these small, fast and torpedoarmed vessels were equipped for missions. With videos, an oral history kiosk and the history of the PT boat displayed, visitors will get a glimpse of the lives of those who served on them.

The TBM exhibit takes museum-goers “below deck” of an aircraft carrier where they will get an up-close view of a TBM Avenger aircraft getting ready for a mission. This exhibit also includes videos, artifacts and information about flight missions.

Visitors can test their skills on table-top games stationed in front of the aircraft – launching torpedoes at enemy ships, defending a ship by manning an anti-aircraft gun, and waving a pilot in on approach and landing.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The National Museum of the Pacific War is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Admission is free for World War II veterans. Senior citizens 65 and older are $14; adults are $18; military members (active or retired) with an I.D. are $12; children six and over and students who have ID, are $8; children five and under are free. Admission for school groups is free and for tour groups of 20 or more is $10 per person; and advance reservations are required.

For more information about rates, along with questions about volunteering at the museum, call 830-997-8600 or visit the museum online at www.pacificwarmuseum.org. The museum is at 311 E. Austin St.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Staff and visitors are required to wear masks over their mouths and noses in the buildings. • Those without a mask will be provided a disposable mask at check-in. Reasonable ADA accommodations will be made (persons may wear a face shield or bandanna over their mouth and nose). • In order to maintain social distancing standards and capacity restrictions, admission is limited. • The galleries have one-way traffic only. • Several high-touch features are temporarily closed. • Galleries are sanitized throughout the day.

House rules: • Those who are sick should stay home. If uncomfortable for any reason, plan to visit another day. • Look at, but don’t touch the exhibits. • Wash hands and use hand sanitizer often. • Maintain six feet of physical distance between others. • Provide space for other guests to pass comfortably and safely.