Conceptual Architectural Renderings and Exhibit Designs Released for New National Medal of Honor Museum

News provided by

National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation

Apr 22, 2015, 10:55 ET

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation today released conceptual architectural renderings and exhibit designs for the new museum and education center to be built at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on the eastern shore of Charleston Harbor.

Rendering of the new National Medal of Honor Museum in Mount Pleasant, SC. Located on the eastern side of Charleston Harbor, with the USS Yorktown moored offshore, the new museum and education center will, for the first time, bring together the stories of the nation's highest military honor, all of its recipients, and the wars in which they fought. Throughout the museum, visitors will have multiple opportunities to meet, interact with and learn from recipients, through films, videos and in-depth explorations of personal stories and experiences that will honor and promote the ideals and values associated with the Medal.

The nation's highest military award for valor in combat, the Medal of Honor is presented for service "above and beyond the call of duty." Since the first Medal was awarded in 1863, fewer than 3,500 have been presented. Safdie Architects of Boston, MA, along with Gallagher & Associates – a museum planning firm in Silver Spring, MD – designed new spaces that will, for the first time, bring together the story of the nation's highest military honor, all of its recipients, and the wars in which they fought.

The new National Medal of Honor Museum will be a 107,000 square foot property that includes three different buildings: a pavilion that will house the museum entrance and lobby, the exhibit space that will feature eight permanent and two special galleries, and a chapel for public and personal events. Throughout the space, visitors will have the opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from Medal recipients through multimedia and interactive elements. Exhibits will showcase the Medal's evolution, honoring and promoting the ideals and values associated with it.

Design concepts are available for viewing here http://bit.ly/1G4xxei along with a factsheet here http://bit.ly/1Hhq4OH summarizing the key architectural and exhibit design concepts.

"We selected some of the best designers in the world to create a state-of-the-art facility that will inspire current and future generations about the ideals of courage, integrity, patriotism, leadership and sacrifice," said Robert C. Wilburn, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. "The conceptual architectural renderings and exhibit designs developed by the design teams do just that. This museum and education center will inform, engage and ultimately inspire visitors to appreciate the meaning and price of freedom and our shared responsibilities as citizens in a democracy."

"We are honored to have been entrusted with the design of the National Medal of Honor Museum. The building and its contents must capture what makes this country great – the spirit of courage, sacrifice, and dedication to community," said Moshe Safdie of Safdie Architects. "This is a noble project set on a magnificent site. I hope the new museum will inspire visitors and future generations to go 'above and beyond the call of duty' in their lives."

"Visitors to the new museum will experience stories of incredible heroism through exhibits and programs that will engage and inspire," said Patrick Gallagher, president and founder of Gallagher & Associates. "Through the stories of Medal recipients, visitors will feel a tangible connection with heroes of the past and present and, in doing so, leave inspired to make a difference in their own communities and around the world."

"Recipients wear the Medal of Honor for every man and woman who has served in America's armed forces, many of whom never came home from the battlefield," said Patrick H. Brady, a Medal of Honor recipient. "Our interest is not in a monument to ourselves, but rather a learning center that focuses on sending important messages to our youth about patriotism, leadership and courage. We believe there is no higher calling than service to our nation's youth, and we are pleased to support this project that will help fulfill that call."

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is a non-profit educational organization established to preserve and present the stories of the nation's Medal of Honor recipients; to help visitors understand what it means to put service above self; and to inspire current and future generations about the Medal's ideals of patriotism, leadership and courage. Click here http://bit.ly/1HS9Bzt to learn more about the Medal of Honor.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150422/200378

Contact: Kirk Monroe
202-207-3646
[email protected]

SOURCE National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation