The vision to build a World War II museum goes well beyond displaying a collection of military vehicles and period objects.

The new facility is built around a desire to tell the stories of how the United States and its allies came together in a critical time to overcome the Axis powers, defeat one of humankind’s greatest enemies, and forge a new path to freedom. A key goal is to educate the public about the sacrifices made both on the battlefield and on the home front.

Visitors will enjoy a variety of educational resources: 

  • Interactive Exhibits. High-touch, hands-on experience with various museum displays.
  • History Programs. Guest speakers, throughout the year, will offer insights into battles, unit histories, technical innovations, and personal stores from WWII.
  • Leadership programs. Hear stories of role models who stepped up in times of crisis and provided leadership both at home and abroad. Learn what it takes to be a leader like Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, George Patton, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Marshall, and others.
  • Authors. Guests will enjoy presentations from a broad range of authors steeped in the details and eager to share tipping points from huge battles to transforming acts of bravery or treason.
  • Living History. We will depict what it meant to be a soldier, sailor, airman, merchant marine, doctor, or nurse, and portray the people who fulfilled their civic duty at home. Sharing the accounts of those who labored in the factories and on the farms, built shops and airplanes, and volunteered as civil defense workers will give guest a feel for what life was like during this era.
  • Tours. After viewing the museum, take a guided tour through Gettysburg to learn how this small town mobilized resources for the war effort in WWII. Hear stories of WWII leaders who travelled here. Visit the site of:
    • A former POW camp
    • A top-secret psychological warfare training facility
    • The Navy’s secret map-making location
    • Add a stop at General Eisenhower’s home to learn how this famous leader loved history and decided to make Gettysburg his only permanent home. If time allows, you   may also visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where nearly 500 WWII combat veterans are buried, and learn stories of their sacrifices in the Battle of the Bulge, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, and Normandy.