Grand Reopening at the National Museum of the Pacific War

Fredericksburg, TX –The National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW), a Smithsonian Affiliate accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, will celebrate the grand reopening of its principal exhibition space, the George H. W. Bush Gallery, on Saturday, December 6. The gallery has undergone its first comprehensive renovation since opening in 2009. The day will feature a public ribbon-cutting ceremony from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by free admission across the Museum campus.

The ceremony will feature remarks from George P. Bush, former Texas Land Commissioner and grandson of President George H. W. Bush. A Navy Reserve veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Bush has been an advocate for Texas veterans’ services, historic preservation, and military heritage initiatives, aligning closely with the Museum’s mission to honor and interpret the legacy of the Pacific War.

“The Bush Gallery sets a new standard for how we tell the story of the Pacific War,” said Rorie Cartier, President and CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. “This renovation reflects our mission To foster responsible citizenship and leadership by inspiring all ages with our collection and the enduring relevance of the stories from the Pacific War. With new opportunities to engage across generations, we’re excited to welcome visitors back to a gallery where history isn’t just displayed, it’s experienced.”

The renewed Bush Gallery offers an engaging chronological journey through the Asiatic-Pacific theater with redesigned wayfinding, updated interpretive narratives, and hundreds of never-before-seen artifacts.Dynamic media, tactile interactives, and personal accounts bring the history to life and deepen visitor connection to the stories represented.

“When the gallery first opened in 2009, many WWII veterans were still visiting in person. Today’s audiences expect different tools for learning,” said Nicole Bagley, Director of Collections & Exhibits. “We reconsidered every wall, floor, and case to improve clarity, simplify navigation, and create meaningful entry points for visitors of all ages.”

What’s New

• A complete gallery re-layout that follows the chronology of the Pacific War with clear sightlines and accessible navigation.

• Immersive storytelling brought to life through nine virtual characters, tactile experiences, interactive games, and vivid environmental design that connect visitors to the human stories of the Pacific War.

• The Relevance Gallery — the final exhibit, where guests can reflect on what they’ve learned and engage with moral questions about the war. Responses are collected through interactive polls and displayed in real time by demographic groups, encouraging dialogue and perspective-sharing.

• Brighter design and lighting that enhance artifact visibility and improve overall visitor comfort.

• Never-before-seen artifacts that tell unique personal stories of the Pacific War.

Grand Reopening Day Details — Saturday, December 6

• 10:00–10:30 a.m.: Public ribbon-cutting ceremony with remarks from George P. Bush in front of the George H. W. Bush Gallery

• All day: Free admission across the Museum campus, including the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, Pacific Combat Zone exhibits, the Submarine Exhibit, and The Rescue immersive experience (timed entry, limited capacity)

• Location: National Museum of the Pacific War, 311 E. Austin St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624