Since we are in New Orleans for an extended stay we revisited the National World War II Museum for a third time, and then again for a special event!

World War II headlines on the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7, 1941

Newspapers from all over the USA with articles about WWII and US involvement

National World War II Museum Revisited

Bollinger Canopy of Peace at the National WW2 Museum

Tires made from oil during World War II

This growing facility is worth revisiting many times. Although the expansion will be complete this fall, with the opening of the final building the Liberation Pavilion, there are always new things to see! Each time we visit we recognize what we have viewed before, but we also notice much more that we either missed or that’s new to the display.

Happy but hungry, Steve waits for lunch at American Sector inside the National World War II Museum

Mushroom Swiss Burger and Fries for lunch

Final expansion

“Rhino”/”Cullen Cutter” Sherman tanks like this one used the Rhino or Cullen Cutter to cut through vegetation

World War II Red Cross Ambulance

The National World War II Museum is already a compelling tourist attraction. One that history buffs should have on their bucket lists. Right now it’s in the midst of a $400 million expansion designed to elevate the Museum experience to new heights.

Planes hang from 3 stories high inside the Freedom Pavilion

The inscription on The Normandy Liberty Bell tell us that it “was a gift from the Normandy region of France to the National World War II Museum as an expression of its gratitude toward its liberators of 1944, is the only exact, ringing replica of Philadelphia’s original Liberty Bell. November 11th, 2009”

Liberation Pavilion

U.S. Freedom Pavilion The Boeing Center

Part of that expansion plan is the renovation of the original Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, and construction of the Liberation Pavilion which is focused on end-of-war and postwar experiences.

Lest We Forget: The Mission

The plan is that once visitors have taken their immersive journey through the war, they will enter the Liberation Pavilion. There, 3 building levels will explore the closing months of the war and immediate postwar years, ending with an explanation of how it links to our lives today. The first floor, named Liberation, will give visitors opportunities to contemplate the joys, costs, and meaning of liberation and freedom. The other two levels will focus on what the war means to us today. There exhibits will be developed through the lens of democracy and freedom.

Another view of Lest We Forget, honoring the more than 88,000 airmen killed in WWII

On the 2nd floor of the Liberation Pavilion will be interactive experiences that explore the postwar years and how the world, and America’s place in it, changed after World War II. They have planned dramatic and thought provoking exhibits that will explore themes from the postwar era that range from the readjustments faced by returning military service members to international tribunals seeking justice for war crimes. They’ll showcase the war’s lasting legacies at home and around the world, as America’s elevated role as a world power and freedoms secured by Allied forces are continually being tested, even to the present day.

Anne Frank “Sometime this terrible war will be over. Surely the time will come when we are people again, and not just Jews” 11 April, 1944

Yom HaShoah observance

Tuesday, April 18 Yom HaShoah, Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day in the Stage Door Canteen at the National World War II Museum

We revisited the National World War II Museum again on April 18. We were honored to have been invited to the Yom HaShoah observance that took place in BB’s Stage Door Canteen. We had no idea what to expect. All we did know was that Yom HaShoah is Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day.

Holocaust survivor Mark Rubin relates on film about his experience at Terezin Concentration Camp

When we arrived we found the setting to be intimate, and of course, wine, soft drinks and lovely nibbles to enjoy while we waited for the program to begin. And what a program it was! On film we listened to holocaust survivor Mark Rubin tell of his experience in the Terezin Concentration Camp as a young boy. How he and his family survived is nothing short of a miracle. Following the film, his daughter Caren took the podium and gave us more insight into his life and that of his family as they thrived in their new country, America.

Mark Rubin as a young man who was lucky enough to have survived the Concentration Camp. His daughter Caren is at the podium.

I think it’s safe to say that there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Holocaust survivor Mark Rubin on his 80th birthday in 2017, celebrating with his children and grandchildren

And since the new, and final, building will be opening in the fall, I hope to be able to share about it when we return to New Orleans next time!

Reflection of the World War II Museum

On our second visit to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans we couldn’t help but notice how the place had grown since our first visit!

The back of the National World War II Museum from the parking lot.

A third building is under construction expanding the Museum even more!

National World War II Museum

Our first visit to the National World War II Museum was way back in 2009, which you can read about here, and there was only one building. It has grown and is still growing. In fact, there were huge construction cranes and detours when we visited this time. A third building is under construction but I am not sure what it will house.

Our yummy lunch at The American Sector

The events of Pearl Harbor

After we checked-in and picked up our tickets (Thank you, Keith Darcey, Public Relations Manager, for hosting us!) we planned our afternoon around lunch, a film, our tour, and an interactive exhibit. Having been there before we knew that the on-premise restaurant The American Sector was really good, so that was our first stop.

Steve and I both had the earthy, cheesy Mushroom Cheeseburger, hold the bun please, and perfect fries. And then strolled over where we “boarded our submarine” for our interactive experience Final Mission. Final Mission is the heroic story of the USS Tang, the most successful submarine of World War II. Luckily neither Steve nor I get seasick because you really felt like you were in a submarine deep in the ocean!

Planes hang from the rafters in the entry hall

This explains why the National World War II Museum is in New Orleans

A 1943 Army Jeep

More aircrafts suspended from he ceiling!

We timed our tour perfectly and headed over to see and experience Tom Hanks film Beyond All Boundaries in 4-D. That’s right. The 4-D experience is so awesome. You can feel the bombs and snow falls from above!

A typical 1940s living room ready for President Roosevelt’s Fireside Chat

A typical 1940s kitchen on display

WWII refrigerator. And I thought our RV fridge was small!

This amazing facility gives us the American experience of the war that changed the world. It shows us why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today; so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. This is a place for people to understand and feel America’s strengths and values as well as serve as a catalyst for cultural tourism to strengthen the economic and community development of New Orleans and Louisiana. This is a place to revisit often since it is always changing and growing.

Disclaimer: My husband and I were given free passes in exchange for this post but the opinions are 100% my own.