Exhibits

Over 200 galleries and exhibits will explore subjects and events of national interest and global significance. Visitors will explore the accomplishments and missions of the Coast Guard and its remarkable history dedicated to Security, Safety, and Stewardship woven into five themed storylines: The Safety Deck feautures the Meet the Coast Guard Gallery and the Lifesavers Around the Globe wing. The Security Deck features the Defenders of Our Nation and Enforcers on the Seas wings. The Stewardship Deck tells the story lines of Champions of Commerce and Protectors of the Environment. As visitors explore countless stories throughout the wings associated with each theme, they will be asked to solve problems, learn real skills, and interact with service members, both virtually and in-person.

Converting 230 years of U.S. Coast Guard and predecessor services’ histories into stories that museum visitors can easily grasp is a monumental challenge. A key objective of the design process, from initial concepts through today’s drawings and narrative descriptions, has been to highlight inspiring accomplishments while educating and engaging visitors about today’s multi-mission worldwide service.

The exhibit layout builds on the work of the Museum Exhibit Advisory Panel (MEAP), comprised of 25 non-profits dedicated to preserving the heritage and culture of the Coast Guard. The MEAP developed the five main storylines.

The design process by museum expert firms, takes place in three stages: Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction Documents. In late 2021, the Design Development documents were presented to the Coast Guard, marking the midpoint of the exhibit design process.

These design documents include a new level of detail for the galleries and selected exhibits in a series of digital 3-D renderings of each deck. The images shown in the renderings are notional, but give a sense of how visitors will be immersed in the action.

“The goal of this museum is to make sure Americans know the stories of those who have served in the Coast Guard,” says CAPT Jon Nickerson, USCG (Ret.), who works on the Exhibit Advisory Group and led previous committee efforts to envision exhibits and programs at the future museum. “At this stage, we are looking to ensure that the accounts dating back over two centuries are told effectively. There is so much for the general public to learn and it is exciting to begin to see how the exhibit designers will bring Coast Guard stories to life.”

The exhibit design process is expected to take two years to complete.