Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Spring 2008 - (Page 60) National WWII Museum: Beyond All Boundaries In early 2008, The National World War II Museum embarked on the next phase of the institution’s visionary $300-million expansion with the start of construction on a 4-D, advanced format theater scheduled to open in summer 2009. And that’s only the beginning. Over the next six years, the Museum will create a six-acre urban campus of five additional Museum pavilions and exhibition galleries surrounding a green parade ground — a dramatic new cultural destination. A signature cinematic experience is being created exclusively for the Museum by Director Paul Hettema and Executive Producer Tom Hanks. Titled Beyond All Boundaries, the production incorporates an array of multi-sensory special effects to transport viewers on an immersive virtual journey spanning the entire American experience in World War II. Within weeks after Hurricane Exhibits at the National World War II museum include battle-scarred flags and infantry uniforms of both American and German soldiers. Katrina, the Museum’s national Board of Trustees voted unanimously to forge ahead with the planned expansion. “This country showed the world what its soldiers and citizens were capable of during World War II,” said Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller, President and CEO of the Museum. “The courage, teamwork and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation inspire us all as we redouble our commitment to the Museum’s future and the future of our city and state. The National World War II Museum will be as epic as the war it honors — one of the great educational and historic institutions of the world.” The theater complex also will feature a USO-style canteen with food service and live performance space, highlighting the importance of the entertainment industry to enlisted men and women and civilians on the Home Front. Also planned as part of the expansion are a Campaigns Pavilion, spotlighting North Africa, Italy, Guadalcanal and more; and the Liberation and Victory Pavilion, focusing on the Holocaust, the closing months of the war, and the recovery of freedom that came with liberation in 1945. In the U.S. Freedom Pavilion, visitors will have the experience of going off to war by train, and will follow the stories of actual World War II service men and women. The Land, Sea and Air Pavilion will present such large artifacts as planes and tanks; and there will be additional galleries for changing exhibitions. The Museum has partnered with the Louisiana State Department of Transportation & Development and the City of New Orleans on a number of improvements to the streets surrounding the Museum campus, creating a more attractive setting for Museum visitors and for area residents and businesses. 60 LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES\Spring 2008
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