Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the city of Fredericksburg, TX houses the newly re-opened National Museum of the Pacific War. Originally a hotel and saloon operated by the Nimitz family, it is a Texas State Historic Site as well as a National Museum and is comprised of the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the George H.W. Bush Gallery, the Pacific Combat Zone and more features and exhibits.
On December 7, 2009, the George H.W. Bush Gallery was re-opened after a multi-million dollar remodeling project. It was completely redesigned to provide an interactive experience in reliving the war in the Pacific. Comprising many current technologies, the exhibits provide not only a traditional museum experience, but is enhanced with multimedia videos and kiosks where patrons can interact and experience portions of what life was like during World War II.
Stepping into the museum exhibit path is like stepping back in time. The initial room surrounds you with a panoramic multimedia wall and presentation taking you back to the great depression and examining what happened building up to the world war, setting the tone for the rest of the museum and starting you on the path of the museum timeline. As you proceed, the exhibits immerse you in the lives and cultures not only of Americans, but from all nationalities involved in the Pacific War. The museum does an excellent job of taking an impartial stand in presenting the experience of the war, presenting all sides as the war happened, examining the struggles and strife individuals endured.
Though the museum is housed on only 33,000 sq ft, the George Bush Gallery alone consists of 36 separate sections and houses many restored full size aircraft including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, several Japanese and American fighters, an Admirals Barge, multiple tanks and other land vehicles and artillery, and one of the five Japanese Midget Submarines that were used in the attack on Pearl Harbor, all inside the museum! Adjacent to the main museum complex is the Pacific Combat Zone which is both an indoor and outdoor experience designed to show visitors what it looked like in the Pacific, highlighted by an aircraft, armored vehicles/tanks, and a PT boat exhibit.
Visiting National Museum of the Pacific War is a rich and rewarding experience that will give anyone a better appreciation for the war. For veterans, it is a chance to find peace and remember where they were when the different events happened. Seeing many of them walking through quietly reliving their own personal wars, pointing out things they recognized and events they experienced was very touching. Getting to talk with them and hear their stories helps make the museum come to life and brings home the reality that this war affected so many across the globe on an individual level. Visiting the museum is something that students, families, and veterans alike can learn from, appreciate the war’s trials, reflect on the past, and for many come to peace.
If you are interested in seeing a little more of what the museum has to offer, we have a little virtual tour, but be sure to visit in person as the photos do not do any justice to the full experience the museum provides!
More images at our National Museum of the Pacific War – Photo Gallery
Special thanks go out to the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (888)997.3600, the Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner, the Cabernet Grill, and Geiger & Associates for making this tour possible.
