On the evening of December 9, The National WWII Museum officially dedicated its new Bollinger Canopy of Peace, made possible through a generous 2015 gift from longtime Museum Trustee Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger and his wife Joy. We are grateful for their advocacy, generosity, and leadership, and we're honored to present this iconic structure as a new part of our city’s skyline.
The Bollinger Canopy of Peace spans across the Museum’s architecturally distinctive campus—visually unifying the Museum’s pavilions and the many stories shared within, while also honoring the American spirit that brought the nation together to defeat tyranny during World War II. Rising 148 feet above the center of the campus and standing 481 feet long and 133 feet wide, the Canopy’s bold presence reflects the significance of the Museum’s mission, and it symbolizes the values that the WWII generation fought for, the sacrifices they made, and the peace, optimism, and hope they ultimately won for our country.
In the midday sun, the towering, bright-white Canopy serves as a beacon to visitors and locals alike; after sundown, a state-of-the-art lighting system transforms the Canopy into a stunning new nighttime icon bringing greater awareness to the Museum’s mission, as well as the 16 million Americans who served in the military during World War II and the more than 400,000 of those servicemembers who gave their lives for the cause of democracy, freedom, and peace.
The Bollinger Canopy of Peace dedication ceremony was generously presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co.