Out of curiosity about World War II and with some time on my hands, I decided to visit the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. I was surprised to see how large it was and how much I learned. Not only that, but I found myself captivated by comprehensive Pacific War studies, the exhibits, and the tales they told about the history of World War II in the Pacific Theater.
In this post, I’ll be sharing my personal experience as I meandered through the National Museum of the Pacific War, along with some tips to help you get the most out of your visit. This will not only help you make your way through all the exhibits, but also uncover some hidden gems that you’d likely miss otherwise.
7 Essential Tips for an Enriching Experience at the National Museum of the Pacific War
#1 – Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Explore
This is important because once you get inside you’ll want to thoroughly enjoy every exhibit, and you won’t be able to if you’re in a rush. The museum itself recommends spending an hour just in the George Bush Gallery, 20 minutes in the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, 30 minutes in the Memorial Courtyard, and another half hour in the Japanese Garden of Peace. But in my opinion, you’ll want to spend a lot more time on each.
I got there around 3:00PM and the second I entered the first exhibit I realized that I’d really short-changed myself. The museum grounds close at 5:00 PM, leaving me only two hours to see everything. I had no idea how fascinating and detailed it would be, and how much I’d enjoy it. As it turned out, I was asked to leave the George Bush Gallery before I was done since it was closing time.
Don’t make my mistake, get there early so you don’t feel rushed and have plenty of time to take it all in. There’s no way to determine ahead of time which exhibits are going to strike your fancy, so play it safe by getting there no later than 1:00 PM. Each gallery and exhibit tell a very detailed and interesting story that shouldn’t be rushed.
#2 – Make Sure to Notice Admiral Nimitz’s Ring Finger
When you come in the Main Street Entrance, you’ll soon see a sculpture of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. This is where a lot of visitors stop to take a photo. While you’re there, look closely at his left hand. You won’t want to miss out on this small detail, one connected to a fascinating moment in the life of the Admiral and to our history.
Part of the ring finger on the sculpture’s left hand is missing, a detail I learned about in the quick fact “Nimitz Hand Tracing” at the Admiral Nimitz Museum. This is why I looked so closely at the hand on his sculpture at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
This is not just a random detail, but a true depiction of the Admiral’s finger. Nimitz lost part of his left ring finger while demonstrating how a diesel engine works when he was reassigned to the USS Maumee. This shows how realistic the sculpture is in depicting the actual hand of the Admiral.
#3 – Try Interactive Learning
When you enter the George Bush Gallery, you’ll notice some large interactive screens that help you visualize the Pacific War with maps and videos that tell the whole story. The military operations were complicated, and this multimedia exhibit clearly explains the events from 1931–1945; World War II from beginning to end.
My favorite exhibit is the Admiral Nimitz Gallery because it presents real-life naval scenarios, asking about the decisions you would make. This is a creative way of putting you in situations much like the ones of certain historical figures. Once you make your choice, the screen shows how others responded, and then it shows you what Admiral Nimitz did during the war in similar situations.
I sincerely hope you spend some time using these interactive screens because they really shine a light on major events of the Pacific War and will sharpen your thoughts with more perspective. This exhibit takes you beyond watching and reading as it gets you engaged and really thinking. In fact, the entire museum does a great job of bringing history to life with these interactive exhibits.
#4 – The Sacrifice of War as Described in Mrs. Sullivan’s Letter
When you’re touring the George Bush Gallery, you must make sure that you stop by the “5 Brothers Aboard” section, where you’ll probably need some Kleenex. This exhibit puts on full display the profound heartache suffered by the families, and especially mothers whose children go off to war through the story of the Sullivan brothers.
The letter Mrs. Sullivan wrote to the U.S. Navy trying to find out whether the rumors of her sons being killed were true. This letter is on full display, and it will break your heart. You will also see President Roosevelt’s personal response to the Sullivan family when given confirmation of the tragic loss of their five boys.
These letters are a testament to the huge emotional toll of war, helping us to understand a mother’s unimaginable pain of sacrificing her five sons, and the love that carries on. You can’t help but think of all the parents who received the same grim news, and the pain they endured. This reminds us of the enormous human and emotional cost of war.
#5 – Regain Your Composure in The Japanese Garden of Peace
After leaving the “5 Brothers Abroad” exhibit you’ll need some time to reflect and regain your composure. The perfect place for this is in the Japanese Garden of Peace right outside the George Bush Gallery, alongside the Memorial Courtyard. This beautiful Japanese tea garden is a peaceful place to escape, a creation meant to symbolize post-war reconciliation.
The garden was given to America from the people of Japan. It is in honor of the lasting friendship between Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who was from Fredericksburg, Texas, and Japanese Admiral Heihachiro Togo. This gift is meant to reflect the spirit of peace and understanding between the two countries after the war.
Aside from being symbolic, the design of the garden is visually stunning with a massive field of white pebbles artistically arranged to represent the waves of the Pacific Ocean. If you’re like me, you’ll experience a real sense of peace in this garden. I would even say it’s a hidden gem in the midst of a busy town.
#6 – The National Museum Has Two Entrances Offering Two Experiences
The National Museum of the Pacific War is managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and is a property of the Texas Historical Commission. If you’re planning to visit the National Museum of the Pacific War for the first time, you need to know that it has two separate entrances. To avoid confusion, the primary entrance is on Austin Street, across from the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. This is the best place to enter because it will take you right into the center of the museum and immediately to the George Bush Gallery and a ton of other very interesting exhibits.
Once you’ve explored that part of the museum you’ll probably want to continue on to the Admiral Nimitz Museum, which means a short walk outside the George Bush Museum, through the Plaza of President and the Memorial Courtyard. You’ll keep going until you get to Main Street and then look for an imposing Admiral Nimitz Sculpture, which I discussed earlier. Once you see it, turn left and you’ll see the entrance to this part of the museum on Main Street. Make sure that you have your ticket with you because you’ll need to show it at the entrance to prove you’ve already paid the admission fee.
#7 – Must-See Exhibits That Will Connect You to History
One exhibit that I truly recommend is the Pacific Combat Zone. It’s the centerpiece of the museum, so you must see it. This popular exhibit closes at 3:00PM, so get there early. I arrived too late to see it and I’ve regretted it ever since.
Of the exhibits I was able to visit in the limited time I had, there are two that impressed me the most, the Pearl Harbor exhibit and the Doolittle Raid exhibit.
The Pearl Harbor exhibit had a huge impact on me, especially the video on the events of December 7, 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor belongs to Hawaii and is situated close to the center of the Pacific Ocean area. Even though the attack didn’t even last two hours, it caused massive damage and loss of life and brought about a major turning point in the war. This attack on our base is what got Americans convinced that we needed to be involved. The video’s sound effects, narrator’s voice, and music were all amazing, leaving me feeling as if I’d been there on December 7th.
The other exhibit that most impressed me was The Doolittle Raid. On April 18, 1942 the U.S. carried out its first bombing mission against Japan in retaliation for Pearl Harbor. The exhibit has a real B-25 bomber ready for takeoff from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. The B-25 on display is not an actual model of the ones used in the raid, but a later model on loan from Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. The B-25 and the entire exhibit brings to life how incredibly daring this operation was at the time.
Final Thoughts
My visit to the Pacific War Museum was eye-opening to say the least. I think it’s important that all of us have an understanding of history, and especially the wars in which so many lives were lost, so that we would live in freedom. This museum clearly gave me a far deeper understanding.
I encourage you, whether you’re a history buff, student, or an interested traveler to visit this museum. It’ll take you back in time in a way that no book, teacher, or movie could ever accomplish. And in the process, it will remind you of the lessons learned about war, ones that we must all carry into the present and future.
