very generation pays for freedom, sometimes at great cost. When the price is military conflict, the American people go to war, not just the armed forces. At home and abroad, Americans answer the call. These conflicts call for bravery, leadership, service, and sacrifice from millions of men, women, and families, and this immense effort transforms the participants and the nation.

The National Museum of Americans in Wartime™ is dedicated to telling this story of Americans' courage and sacrifice in wartime and the ways in which the nation’s wars have changed the lives of its citizens.

Visitors will encounter the story indoors and out, in combat landscapes, computer interactives, operational tanks and planes, multimedia experiences, public programs, and exhibition galleries filled with thousands of historic artifacts. Together, they will offer every visitor a deeper understanding of the lives of their fellow Americans in wartime and the responsibilities of freedom.

Opening Veterans Day, November 11, 2012
near Manassas, Virginia
WHAT IS THE MUSEUM'S VISION?

Honor citizens who served our country in times of war at home and abroad.

Educate our visitors about the hardships of wartime by telling the stories of individuals and focusing on the themes of patriotism, courage, service and sacrifice..

Inspire future generations with the knowledge that America will always need dedicated men and women to defend our freedoms at home and abroad.

WHAT MAKES OUR MUSEUM UNIQUE?

We are the only national military museum in the Washington, D.C. area to tell the stories of veterans from all military branches and their corresponding units of the Reserves and National Guard.

We share the wartime experiences of men and women on the home front who supported those in uniform.

We cover all conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries, including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Iraq/Afghanistan.

We have a collection of over 100 fully operational military vehicles—mostly tanks—that we will allow guests to see in action and actually board. We will invite our visitors to participate in reenactments and other activities.