The soaring glass spire of the National Museum of the Marine Corps rising above the tree line along I-95 has caught the eyes of countless drivers since the 2006 opening of the Museum outside Quantico. Now, a massive project to double the size and complete the award-winning Museum is attracting attention of commuters and travelers alike.

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation officially broke ground for the expansion last spring. The construction site became visible from the highways as crews began removing tremendous mounds of earth to make way for 120,000 square feet of new physical space. Over the next several years, this new space will be filled with a giant screen movie theater, expanded education suite, a Marine Corps Sports Gallery, a Marine Corps Combat Art Gallery, and two additional galleries telling the stories of the men and women who served in the Marine Corps from 1976 though today.

Rather than risk gaper delay by sneaking a glimpse of the project from the highway, the Foundation invites those driving on I-95 and Interstate 1 to take a reprieve from the traffic to visit the Museum. The Museum’s entrance is less than a half mile from 1-95 (NB exit 150; SB exit 150A). There is no cost for admission. Parking is free. Two restaurants offer great dining options, including one that recreates the birth place of the Marine Corps, Tun Tavern. The adjacent Semper Fidelis Memorial Park features more than a mile of paved pathways for people to stretch their legs while taking in the memorials that line the way.

Currently the Museum brings to life the first 200 years of Marine Corps history, spanning the establishment of the Corps through the Vietnam War. More than four million visitors have walked through its galleries since 2006. Last year, it was voted the region’s best non-Smithsonian museum. The Museum is open every day from 9:00am – 5:00pm, except for Christmas Day. Due to the final phase construction, the Museum will be closed from January – March, 2016 to add and replace aircraft in Leatherneck Gallery.

About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:

Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Marine Corps history, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds. The Foundation provides grants and scholarships for research and the renovation, restoration, and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. Securing the necessary funding for the complete construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center, located in Triangle, Virginia, is the Foundation’s current primary mission while continuing to provide program support for the Corps’ historical, museum, and educational activities.