National Veterans Memorial and Museum#Memorial Grove

{{Infobox museum

| name = National Veterans Memorial
and Museum

| logo = NVMM logo.png

| logo_upright = 0.9

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| image = NVMM 2020.jpg

| image_upright = 1.2

| alt = The circular museum with its lawn and flagpole

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| coordinates = {{wikidatacoord|Q72839254|display=inline,title}}

| mapframe = no

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| established = {{start date|2018|10|27}}

| location = 300 W. Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio, United States

| type = Veteran

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| founder =

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| president = William J. Butler (acting)

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| architect = Allied Works Architecture, OLIN

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| publictransit = {{Bus icon}} {{rint|COTA}} {{COTA link|10|12}}
{{bike icon}} CoGo

| car_park =

| parking = Surface lot

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| website = {{official URL}}

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{{Infobox historic site

| embed = yes

| designation1 = NMEM

| designation1_date = June 21, 2018

| image_map = {{maplink|plain=yes|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|type=point|zoom=14|marker=museum}}

| image_map_caption = Interactive map highlighting the museum's location

}}

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) is the United States' national museum for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The museum is located in Columbus, Ohio, along the Scioto River between Franklinton and Downtown Columbus. The museum's main focus is on the personal stories of U.S. veterans, in contrast to other war museums that are dedicated to the conflicts themselves.{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalvmm.org/about/ |title=About: National Veterans Memorial and Museum |publisher=National Veterans Memorial and Museum |access-date = April 12, 2019}} It opened on October 27, 2018, as a reimagining of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial, a museum dedicated to veterans from the surrounding county, established in 1955.

History

File:Columbus-ohio-veterans-memorial.jpg

The site along the west side of the Scioto River near the Discovery Bridge on Broad Street was originally home to the Franklin County Veterans Memorial,{{Cite web |url=http://radio.wosu.org/post/new-national-veterans-memorial-and-museum-set-open-next-month#stream/0 |title=New National Veterans Memorial and Museum Set to Open Next Month |last=Kasler |first=Karen |date=September 26, 2018 |publisher=WOSU |access-date=April 12, 2019}} which originally opened in 1955{{cite web |last1=Batz |first1=Bob |title=An advance peek at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2018/10/23/National-Veterans-Memorial-and-Museum-Columbus-Ohio-John-Glenn/stories/201810210001 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=January 18, 2019}} and was demolished to make way for the museum in early 2015,{{Cite web |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20150113/NEWS/301139749 |title=Demolition begins at Veterans Memorial |last=Jarman |first=Josh |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en |access-date = April 12, 2019}} by S.G. Loewendick & Sons.{{cite news|last=Foster|first=Emily|title=From the Archives: Columbus' First Family of Destruction|work=Columbus Monthly|url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/news/20190304/from-archives-columbus-first-family-of-destruction|date=Mar 4, 2019|orig-year=First published November 1988|access-date=May 7, 2020}} The construction of a veterans museum was envisioned by city boosters and received support from former Senator and World War II veteran John Glenn.{{Cite web |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/highly-anticipated-national-veterans-memorial-museum-opens-doors |title=The Highly Anticipated National Veterans Memorial and Museum Opens its Doors |work=Architectural Digest|date=October 22, 2018 }}

It was designated as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum by the United States Congress in June 2018.{{cite web |title=H.R. 1900: National Veterans Memorial and Museum Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1900 |publisher=United States Congress |access-date=October 27, 2018 |date=June 21, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://radio.wosu.org/post/presidents-approval-national-veterans-museum-makes-home-columbus#stream/0 |title=With President's Approval, National Veterans Museum Makes Home in Columbus |date=June 26, 2018 |publisher=WOSU}} The museum was the 20th museum to receive national museum status from Congress.

It was dedicated on October 27, 2018, with a speech by former general Colin Powell.{{cite web |last1=Zachariah |first1=Holly |title=National Veterans Memorial and Museum opens in Columbus to fanfare |url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20181027/national-veterans-memorial-and-museum-opens-in-columbus-to-fanfare |website=The Columbus Dispatch |access-date=November 21, 2018}}

Architecture

File:NVMM from Rhodes State.jpg

The {{convert|53000|sqft|adj=on}} building was designed by Allied Works Architecture,{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Katherine |title=Allied Works' New Museum in Columbus is Designed for the History of The Future |url=https://www.archdaily.com/908954/allied-works-new-museum-in-columbus-is-designed-for-the-history-of-the-future |website=ArchDaily |date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=January 18, 2019}} and OLIN designed the landscape.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theolinstudio.com/national-veterans-memorial-museum/ |title=National Veterans Memorial and Museum |publisher=The Olin Studio }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/highly-anticipated-national-veterans-memorial-museum-opens-doors |title=The Highly Anticipated National Veterans Memorial and Museum Opens Its Doors |last=Mafi |first=Nick |date=October 22, 2018 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en |access-date = April 12, 2019}} The interior was designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Turner Construction Company was the general contractor. The Associated General Contractors of America named it the most significant construction project of 2018 and the best new building $10 to $75 million.{{Cite web |url=https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/columbus-ohios-national-veterans-memorial-museum-named-best-construction-project-of-2018/44439 |title=National Veterans Memorial, Museum Receives AGC Award |website=Construction Equipment Guide |language=en |access-date = April 12, 2019}} The building and its park space cost $75 million, while an additional $7 million was raised for the museum's startup and operation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/news/20181204/first-look-veterans-memorials-new-focus|title = First Look: The Veterans Memorial's New Focus}}

The building is rounded, 300 feet in diameter, with a minimalist interior.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdrecycler.com/article/turner-construction-build-america-grand-award-agc-veterans/ |title=Turner Construction earns Build America Grand Award |website=Construction & Demolition Recycling |language=en |access-date = April 12, 2019}} Full-length windows on the mezzanine are vertically striped to resemble military ribbons.{{Cite web |url=https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/National-Veterans-Memorial-Museum/ |title=National Veterans Memorial and Museum |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US |access-date = April 12, 2019}} Visitors can walk atop the museum's grassy roof for views of the Columbus skyline and a place to reflect.

The museum includes a 2.5 acre outdoor memorial grove{{cite web |last1=Pugh |first1=Cris |title=Colin Powell to speak at National Veterans Memorial and Museum dedication in Columbus |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/08/18/national-veterans-memorial-and-museum-columbus-open-oct-27/1034642002/ |website=Cincinnati.com |access-date=January 18, 2019}} that includes a reflecting pool and memorial stone wall. The stated purpose of the architecture is to promote remembrance.

Exhibits and collections

The museum focuses on the stories of veterans and individuals rather than military accomplishments, with the mission to "honor, inspire, connect, and educate".{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalvmm.org/about/mission/ |title=Mission: National Veterans Memorial and Museum |publisher=National Veterans Memorial and Museum |access-date = April 12, 2019}} It has two permanent exhibits and one temporary exhibit space,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/final-preparations-underway-for-opening-of-national-veterans-memorial-and-museum/1549305123 |title=Final preparations underway for opening of National Veterans Memorial and Museum |date=October 25, 2018}} covering 30,000 square feet. The museum houses personal artifacts such as footlockers, military ribbons, and letters service men and women sent home. Exhibits include stories from veterans dating from American Revolutionary War onwards to recent conflicts.{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Alex |title=A New Museum Honoring America's Veterans Opens in Ohio |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-museum-honoring-americas-veterans-opens-ohio-180970637/ |work=Smithsonian Magazine |access-date=January 18, 2019}} It intends to educate civilians about the diverse backgrounds veterans have and the roles they served in the military.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/national-veterans-memorial-and-museum-columbus-ohio/index.html |title=A national museum where veterans, not war, come first |last=Lastoe |first=Stacey |date=November 11, 2018 |website=CNN Travel |language=en |access-date = April 12, 2019}}

Memorial Grove

Memorial Grove is a {{convert|2.5|acre|adj=on}} park outside the museum. The park opened alongside the museum in October 2018. It features a path circling a 325-foot wall of stacked rocks and waterfalls; the wall reads "E pluribus unum". The central shaded area, planted with American elms, is meant for personal reflection and contemplation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/erry-2018/10/9ec10075345915/national-veterans-memorial-and.html|title = National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus opens for honoring, remembering and stories|date = October 7, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ohiomagazine.com/travel/article/inside-the-national-veterans-memorial-and-museum|title = Inside the National Veterans Memorial and Museum}}