The National WWII Museum Joins Smithsonian Magazine’s Tenth Annual Museum Day Live!

NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 22, 2014) - The National WWII Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, will offer free admission on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 as part of Smithsonian magazine's tenth annual Museum Day Live!

A nationwide event, Museum Day Live tickets are redeemable for general admission for two people, including access to the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion and the five galleries within, plus the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, featuring six WWII-era warbirds. A separate ticket is required for the 4D film Beyond All Boundaries and Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience for $5 apiece.

The event, which includes participation from thousands of museums in all 50 states, represents Smithsonian's commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone, giving museums across the country an opportunity to emulate the admission policy of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Last year's event drew 4,215 visitors to The National WWII Museum, and this year's event is expected to bring in an even greater number of eager museum-goers.

"As a proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, we are pleased to be one of the sites for Museum Day activities, attracting new visitors and longtime friends through the offer of free admission and special programs," said Museum President Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller. "Our Museum is ideally suited to teaching about the powerful role that innovators have played in American history, for we explore how an array of manufacturers designed and produced the war materials that made Allied victory possible. These include New Orleans' own Higgins Industries, led by boat-builder Andrew Higgins."

In addition to access to its two most visited pavilions, The National WWII Museum, recently named the No. 4 museum in the United States, will also host public events on its campus Sept. 27 in conjunction with the Lemelson Center, a Smithsonian organization geared towards the study of invention and innovation. The series of events provide an opportunity for an in-depth look at contributions the City of New Orleans made towards victory in World War II and is part of the Lemelson Center's upcoming "Places of Invention" exhibit which will be housed in Washington, D.C.

The center selected the City of New Orleans as one of its "Places of Invention," due in large part to the presence of Higgins Industries during WWII. The Higgins LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), which is on display in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion of the Museum, was widely considered a preeminent factor in the Americans' successful invasion of European coast, including their D-Day landing at Normandy.

On Sept. 27, Museum visitors will get an exclusive and rare opportunity to tour the LCVP, something the Museum has only opened to the public on one other occasion. Visitors will also get a chance to get a hands on experience with the various uniforms and equipment used by men carried ashore by the Higgins boats as well as attend a lecture from author and Louisiana business magnate Jerry Strahan detailing the innovative business practices of Higgins Industries and the significance of the LCVP in WWII history and listen to curator Eric Rivet discuss The National WWII Museum's involvement in a major, forthcoming Smithsonian exhibit.

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world - why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America's National WWII Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who served on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-528-1944 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org. Follow us on Twitter at WWIImuseum or on Facebook.

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