EXPRESS WAY: The National WWII Museum

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans recently unveiled several new visitor experiences that provide more ways to explore the American experience in the war that changed the world. From the powerful Liberation Pavilion to the interactive “Voices from the Front” exhibit, groups of all ages will gain a deeper understanding of the price of freedom and the relevance of America’s role in World War II.

The three-story Liberation Pavilion opened in November 2023 and explores the end of WWII, the Holocaust, the postwar years, and how the war continues to impact our lives today. The first floor recognizes the sacrifices of the WWII generation and the immense cost of war with exhibits on the Holocaust, Anne Frank, faith in wartime, and the Monuments Men and Women. Second floor exhibits examine the rebuilding efforts of a world destroyed, the war crimes trials, movements for social change and civil rights, new technological innovations, and the war’s impact on foreign policy. On the third floor, the Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater offers a multimedia experience focused on what was at stake during WWII and the meaning of Allied victory. At a pivotal moment in the show, the theater audience platform itself rotates.

The newly renovated Malcolm S. Forbes Rare and Iconic Artifacts Gallery opened in March and highlights more than 50 artifacts from The National WWII Museum’s vast collection—only a small percentage of which can be displayed at one time. At the heart of the gallery is “Voices from the Front,” a new, interactive experience that makes it possible for visitors to connect with 18 members of the WWII generation in a high-tech yet personal way. Cuttingedge technology facilitates conversations between museumgoers and veterans, Home Front workers, and other witnesses to the war—even after they are no longer with us to share their firsthand stories.

Among those featured in “Voices from the Front” are Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams, “Bloody Hundredth” bomber pilot John “Lucky” Luckadoo, and 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion driver Romay (Johnson) Davis.

This fall, The National WWII Museum will open a refreshed and expanded version of the special exhibit “Fighting for the Right to Fight,” which showcases the African American experience in World War II. Engaging interactives and media, along with dozens of rare and never-before-seen artifacts, tell the story of the men and women who fought to achieve a “Double Victory”—the defeat of fascism overseas and the triumph against racial discrimination at home.

In addition to these new exhibits and experiences, The National WWII Museum’s immersive pavilions, multimedia attractions, and an expansive collection of artifacts and personal accounts make the 6-acre campus a must-see for history lovers.

For help planning your visit to The National WWII Museum, including group pricing, itineraries, special events, and dining and accessibility options, visit nationalww2museum.org, email group.sales@nationalww2museum.org, or call (504) 528-1944.

nationalww2museum.org | (504) 528-1944

Photo credits:
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM.