Marine Corps Heritage Center
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Marine Corps Council
Charles Grow, Deputy Director
Chuck Girbovan, Exhibits Chief
21 Nov 2009
Current Operations
• Attendance: 1.6M visitors• Tourism Trends: Virginia Tourism Corp reports
all tourism indicators declined 8-10% in Virginia (visitor centers, state parks, gas sales, car rentals, hotel stays, airport passengers)
• Visitor Data: AASLH, 12-month on-line survey• Strategic Communications Plan: Continues to
guide us; emphasis on earned media nation-wide and marketing to mid-Atlantic region
• Education: focused on VA SOLs, partnering with educators throughout the region
Federal Resources
• FY10 O&M: $8.56M • Civilian Staffing: 49 billets, 7 vacancies• Visitor Services Marines:
– Ambassadors in dress blues – Overwhelmingly well-received by visitors– Provides a uniformed human face for the Corps of today and
tomorrow– 18-24-month tours, support education, rehabilitation, etc.
• MILCON P492: replace NMMC bldgs on MCBQ
Strat Plan—Wave Tops
• Support Recruitment, Retention, Education: PMEs; Marine Week exhibition; recruitment info kiosk planned
• Accreditation: On track to apply in CY2010– Collections Mgmt Policies: All required policies,
procedures in place– Collections Stewardship: Upgraded storage bldgs on
MCBQ; added shelving, equipment– Collections Inventory: Serious progress being made
on huge backlog; goal is to complete in CY2010
Phase 2
Phase 1A
Phase 1A Gallery Space
Phase 1A Galleries
• Fabricating 3 New Galleries: Interpret USMC history, 1775-1918
• Visitor experience: Minimizing impact during construction
• GWOT: Providing alternative temporary interpretation of today’s Marine Corps story
Gallery 6: 1775-1865
Gallery 7: 1866 - 1916
Gallery 8: 1917 - 1918
Phase 2
• Architectural Design: 100% complete • Key Issues:
– Visitor egress– Large artifact ingress and placement
• Exhibitions: Concept work began in Nov 2008• Permanent Galleries: To cover USMC history 1976-
present; changing gallery; art gallery; visible storage; sports hall of fame
• Other Features: Large-screen theater; 2 classrooms & performance space; student lunchroom; permanent exhibit, visitor services, education work spaces; simulators; office space
• Gallery 9: Installation of final Option 1A gallery (1919-1940)
NMMC - Phase 2 – 1st Deck
NMMC - Phase 2 – 2d Deck