HOUSTON – You might come to Fredericksburg for the wine, peaches and charming Hill Country scenery — but there’s another stop that deserves a spot on your itinerary.
The National Museum of the Pacific War is a massive six-acre campus dedicated entirely to the history of World War II, and this is definitely not your average museum.
The museum takes visitors through some of the defining moments of the Pacific War — from Pearl Harbor and the Doolittle Raid to Midway, Iwo Jima and Okinawa — using everything from military vehicles and aircraft to personal belongings, uniforms and other artifacts from those who experienced the war firsthand.
One of the newest ways to experience that history is The Rescue, an immersive experience based on a real 1944 mission involving the submarine USS Crevalle.
Visitors can follow the story of 7-year-old Berna Real, a refugee from the Philippines, as she and her family make their way through the jungle before boarding the submarine. Then things get intense — including a simulated encounter with a Japanese convoy and depth charges shaking the submarine.
The museum is also home to the Admiral Nimitz Gallery, honoring Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a Fredericksburg native who became one of America’s most important military leaders during World War II.
The gallery uses interactive exhibits, multimedia and artifacts from Nimitz’s life and career to tell the story of the man behind the famous name.
The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Tuesdays.
Watch as Lauren Kelly chats with Museum Director David Shields, along with Director of Education & Programs, Kyna Stys all about the incredible exhibits inside The National Museum of the Pacific War.