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Events Here you'll find a list of upcoming events at the museum as well as other events we think are of interest to you, our audience. You can also check out past events to see what kind of things are going on at the National Museum of the Pacific War! 2009JUNE 1, 2009 GEORGE H.W. BUSH GALLERY TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY Beginning June 1, 2009 the George H.W. Bush Gallery will be closed to accommodate construction on the 43,000 square foot expansion currently underway. The George H.W. Bush Gallery, which opened in 1999, currently houses over 1,000 artifacts that tell the stories of the men and women who fought World War II in the Pacific. In the decade the Gallery has been open over 1,690,000 people have witnessed the story of WWII in the Pacific at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Visitors to the Museum will continue to be able to enjoy a wide variety of artifacts, displays and special events at the 6 1/2 acre complex throughout the year. The Admiral Nimitz Museum, Pacific Combat Zone, the Memorial Courtyard and the Japanese Garden of Peace will all remain open and continue to be the home of special events and programs, and displays for the public`s enjoyment. The Admiral Nimitz Foundation, which operates the National Museum of the Pacific War, is planning a Grand Opening celebration to be held on December 7, 2009. The Grand Opening, which will announce the opening of the newly expanded George H.W. Bush Gallery is expected to bring several thousand additional visitors to Fredericksburg on the weekend of December 7, 2009. Former President George H.W. Bush will be a special guest at the Grand Opening event and will also highlight the ribbon cutting ceremony on that day. JULY 4-5 - PACIFIC COMBAT LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM SPECIAL PROGRAM TIMES FOR JULY 4th ONLY - Three programs daily at 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Pacific Combat Zone. Program times on JULY 5th will be at the regularly scheduled times: 10:30 a.m, 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 for Adults, $3 for Students and free for children under age 6 and World War II veterans.. This popular living history program uses objects from the museum\'s education collection to bring World War II to life for visitors as re-enactors demonstrate the weapons and discuss the tactics and strategy that won the war. The Pacific Combat Zone is located two blocks northeast of the museum complex on E. Austin Street between Elk and Lee. Click Here for more informationJULY 25 - WAR DOGS PROGRAM On 25 July 2009, we shall have a very special program on War Dogs that will include a demonstration and film. At 10:30 a.m. there will be a demonstration of active Military War Dogs and their trainers for the public to see in the Memorial Courtyard. At 1:30 p.m. a documentary film, War Dogs of the Pacific (45 min), will be shown in the Admiral Nimitz Museum Ballroom. Mr. Harris Done, the film`s director, will present a program following the film. War Dogs tells the incredible story of the Marine Dog Platoons of WWII. It is a heart-warming exploration of the unique bond that formed between the young Marines and their dogs that teamed up to perform dangerous missions. Their success at finding the hidden enemy saved countless lives in the Pacific. The morning outdoor demonstration is free to the public. The film presentation is free with regular Museum admission. AUGUST IS LOU REDA MONTH The month of August is Lou Reda Month at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Throughout the month films by the famed producer of World War II documentaries for the History Channel and A&E will be shown in the Ballroom of the Admiral Nimitz Museum. Mr. Reda will select his favorite Pacific War films. Times and titles to be announced. SEPTEMBER 19-20 - ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
The courageous actions of the U.S. submariners and B-29 pilots during the final months of the Pacific war will be the exciting focus of this year’s symposium, “Siege and Bombardment: War of Attrition Against Japan Led by Submarines and B-29s. Details: Place: Fredericksburg High School Auditorium Date: 19 and 20 September 2009 Cost: The Symposium is open to the public. The cost is $45 per person for Admiral Nimitz Foundation members and $55 for non-members. Box lunches are available for an additional $10 each day. Attendees may have dinner with the panelists Saturday evening in the Admiral Nimitz Museum Ballroom for $40 per person. The Symposium is FREE for Students (with appropriate ID) (not including meals) and students are encouraged to attend, but they MUST REGISTER. Please provide Age, Grade and School. Participants may register at this website or they may call the Admiral Nimitz Foundation at 830-997-8600. In summing up the significance of the fall Symposium, eminent historian Richard Frank stated that savage fighting characterized the final months of WWII in the Pacific as American forces pushed hard for Japanese capitulation. The B-29s and Submarine Service brought to a crescendo the alternative strategy to invasion: blockade and bombardment. B-29 mine-laying joined to three years of submarine depredations brought Japanese overseas and domestic shipping near to collapse – with dire implications for Japan’s food situation. Ever more massive raids by B-29s devastated 66 Japanese cities by fire and two with atomic bombs, killing approximately 410,000. Of the 3,895 B-29s built, 414 were lost from all causes with 2,148 aircrews killed. The “Silent Service” lost 52 submarines in the war with 3,506 crewmen killed – the highest fatality rate (22%) in a combat service.
For accommodation and other information about Fredericksburg, please contact the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at 888-997-3600, or check their website: www.fredericksburg-texas.com. The symposium’s headquarters are: The Inn on Baron’s Creek, 308 South Washington St., telephone 866-990-0202. Sponsors include the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, Texas Historical Commission, U.S. Naval Institute, Fredericksburg Independent School District, Texas Tech University and St. Edwards University. To register now please click here. For preliminary details of each day’s program click below. Click Here for more informationDECEMBER 7 - MUSEUM GRAND OPENING The construction of the expansion of the George H.W. Bush Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War is on schedule for the Grand Opening on 7 December. President George H.W. Bush, our 41st President, has already accepted as our Guest of Honor. There will be numerous events during the weekend of 5-6 December and are in the planning stages - please continue to check this site for updated information. The interior of the George H.W. Bush Gallery will begin renovations on 1 June 2009. It will reopen with exciting new exhibits on 7 December 2009. Please mark this important date on your calendar and plan to join us for all the festivities. IMPORTANT LODGING INFORMATION DURING GRAND OPENING PERIOD There are approximately 225 rooms being held at hotels and bed & breakfasts in Fredericksburg for the Grand Opening Event on December 7th. If you need lodging during this period we strongly recommend that you MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW! Each property will have a cancellation policy from 24 to 72 hours should you need to cancel it. When making your reservation, ask for the room block being held for the “Nimitz Grand Opening” or “National Museum of the Pacific War”. Rooms are being held for Dec. 6th and 7th, if you wish to come earlier or stay later please indicate that when making your reservations. Rates will be slightly higher for the weekend of December 4th and 5th. Fredericksburg will be very busy at this time of year with shoppers, the annual Christmas Parade and St. Nikolaus Market. For Reservations please contact any of the following properties: RELEASE DATE FOR ALL ROOM BLOCKS IS NOVEMBER 4, 2009 Inn on Barons Creek – 866-990-0202 or 830-990-9202 LIVING HISTORY SCHEDULE FOR 2009 March 14-15, 2009 April 18-19, 2009 May 23-24, 2009 July 4-5, 2009 September 12-13 November 7-8 Three programs each day: 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. We Inspire Our Youth by Honoring Our Heroes. |
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©2009 National Museum of the Pacific War A Texas Historical Commission property, operated by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation |
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