Marking a Major Milestone: Dry-In Celebration Brings Community Together
On a bright and purposeful day in Jacksonville, Carolina Museum of the Marine gathered supporters to celebrate a major construction milestone—the nearing completion of the building’s exterior enclosure. With roofing and walls in place and the structure taking full shape, we are closing in on a fully weather-tight facility and advancing steadily toward opening day in Spring 2026.
With great pride and gratitude, we welcomed community leaders, generous donors, and dedicated partners into the heart of the emerging museum. The event featured remarks from Major General Joe Shrader, USMC (Ret.), HICAPS Vice President Daniel Hood, Jr., Samet Corporation Senior Project Manager Roger Morrell, and our Board Chairman Lieutenant General Mark Faulkner, USMC (Ret.). Their words underscored the shared purpose, enduring partnership, and inspiring vision that fuel our mission every step of the way.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our event sponsors—the Byrd Family Foundation, HICAPS, and Samet Corporation—for making this special gathering possible and for their ongoing commitment to our mission. We are especially grateful to HICAPS and Samet for their expert leadership and construction partnership throughout this journey.
This milestone represents more than progress in steel and stone—it marks the continued rise of a museum that will honor the legacy of Carolina Marines and Sailors and prepare future generations for leadership and service.
As we continue to build momentum, we are reminded that this museum is being built by a community—for a nation.
