WWII American Experience

Address: 845 Crooked Creek Road, Gettysburg

Phone: 717-253-3414

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday

Of Note: The Buck’s family intent is to tell the contextual story of the U.S. involvement in World War II through the eyes, experiences and memories of the people of Gettysburg, Adams County and the surrounding region by using the tanks, wheeled vehicles, small arms, uniforms and other items of material culture from the Buck Collection as exhibit focal points, when possible.

Eldred World War II Museum

Address: 201 Main St, Eldred, Pa.

Phone: 814-225-2220

Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Of Note: During the war, Eldred was the site of a large munitions factory that operated from 1941 until mid-1945 and employed over 1,500 people, most of whom were women. The museum tells the story of not just the local involvement in the war, but the entire war itself. Focusing on the personal side of the war instead of the units, the museum has a much more personal and in-depth feel than many other war museums.

Southern Pennsylvania World War II Memorial

Address: North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh

Phone: 412-393-0200

Open: sunrise to sunset daily

Of Note: The memorial’s deliberate position on axis to the fountain at Pittsburgh’s iconic Point State Park – the actual downtown confluence of its three rivers – enables visitors to look beyond the war images immediately before them and to view the city that was virtually reborn when the conflict ended. Specifically, the memorial features glass-enclosed images, framed in steel and granite, of dozens of the region’s residents engaged in their wartime activities.

The Keirn Family World War II Museum

Address: Saint Francis University Library and Learning Commons, 106 Franciscan Way, Loretto, Pa.

Phone: 814-472-3160

Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Of Note: The Keirn Family World War II Museum at Saint Francis University houses several special collections of artifacts and oral history projects. The origins of the primary collection lie with Altoona resident Joseph E. Keirn, a retired Command Sergeant Major in the United States Army. An avid preservationist of WWII memorabilia, CSM Keirn used his collection as an educational tool, welcoming students and community groups to tour it and learn about the war.

The National WWII Museum

Address: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, La.

Phone: 504-528-1944

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Of Note: Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, The National WWII Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories, taking visitors inside the story of the war that changed the world.

National Museum of the Pacific War

Address: 311 E Austin St. Fredericksburg, Texas

Phone: 719-637-7559

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday

Of Note: Immerse yourself in history with a vast collection of artifacts and the personal stories of real people who lived and died during the Pacific War. Here, you can find the connection between the Allied victory in WWII and the world we live in today, and the hope it brings for the future.

National Museum of WW II Aviation

Address: 775 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Phone: 830-997-8600

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Of Note: The National Museum of World War II Aviation documents the role that military aviation played in the emergence of our nation as a world power. The museum tells the story of the tremendous technological advancements in aviation during the War and the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who won the air war.

World War II Memorial

Address: 1750 Independence Ave., Washington, DC

Phone: 202-426-6841

Open: 24 hours daily

Of Note: The World War II Memorial honors the service of 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the support of countless millions on the home front, and the ultimate sacrifice of 405,399 Americans.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, Hawaii

Phone: 808-422-3399

Open: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Of Note: The Pearl Harbor National Memorial honors the history of World War II in the Pacific and commemorates the events of December 7, 1941. The site stands as a place of reflection, education, and remembrance. Dedicated to preserving the stories and sacrifices made during the attack, the memorial highlights the pivotal role of Pearl Harbor in compelling the U.S. to enter World War II. It safeguards the USS Arizona, USS Utah, and USS Oklahoma memorials, while sharing powerful stories of heroism and resilience.