25 Years in the making, Carolina Museum of the Marine to announce opening date

Media Contact: Glenn Hargett 910 358-1001

Advisory

The Carolina Museum of the Marine will conduct a media briefing at 10:30AM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to officially announce the opening date of the museum to the public. The construction of the facility is approaching completion, and staff along with consultants are in the process of installing exhibits that depict the history of the Carolina Marines and Sailors.

In contrast to most military museums in the United States, which are typically established and operated as command museums, the Carolina Museum of the Marine represents a rare grassroots initiative. From its inception, the museum has been shaped not by a single military command but by a community dedicated to honoring the service, sacrifice, and legacy of Carolina Marines and Sailors, and to ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations.

The museum is situated on a portion of Camp Lejeune that was separated from the main area of the base due to the US 17 bypass. The 27-acre tract, originally designated for the Beirut Memorial and presently known as Lejeune Memorial Gardens, has become one of the most frequented sites in the Jacksonville area.

The media brief will be held inside the Carolina Museum of the Marine and will feature comments by the Carolina Museum of the Marine President and Chief Executive Officer, Major General Joe Shrader, USMC (Ret).

After the comments, credentialed media will be invited to tour the building.

Access

The Museum is located at 109 Montford Landing Road, which is within the Lejeune Memorial Gardens. Please drive to the end of the parking lot where the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is located and enter the Museum from the doors closest to the parking lot.