The National WWII Museum ended 2017 by smashing previous visitation records. In 2017, the institution welcomed 706,664 visitors – the most in a single calendar year since opening its doors in 2000. Additionally, on  broke its single-day attendance record by welcoming 6,642 guests. The previous single-day record of 5,553 was set in 2016.

The National WWII Museum and its Board of Trustees officially broke ground  on The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center. The 230-room Hotel, which is scheduled for completion in 2019, will operate as part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, one of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands. The first Curio Collection hotel in Louisiana, the property will support the Museum’s expanding educational programs while offering guests the unique experience of full-service hotel accommodations with a convenient way to maximize their time at the Museum.

The National WWII Museum today announced it has been recognized as a winner in the 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ awards for museums, ranking  No.2 in the world and No.2 in the nation – up from No.11 in world and No.4 in the nation last year. Other winners include The Metropolitan Museum of Art (No.1 in the nation), Art Institute of Chicago (No.3 in the nation), The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum (No.4 in the nation) and USS Midway Museum (No.5 in the nation).

For the third consecutive year, The National WWII Museum is showing its appreciation to local supporters by offering discounted admission to Louisiana residents. During the entire month of September, locals will have the opportunity to enjoy the Museum’s exhibits and galleries for only half the price of regular Museum admission, including the newly opened special exhibit The Pelican State Goes to War: Louisiana in World War II, which offers a deep dive into the contributions of Louisianans to the Allied victory, both on the battlefield and on the Home Front.

On August 19, The National WWII Museum will present the first ever Ration Wars – a fast-paced, “Iron Chef” style, WWII-themed cooking competition. Cohosted by New Orleans food critic Ian McNulty and “Chopped Teen” season three champion Eliana de Las Casas, the competition will feature a clash of two local New Orleans chefs: Neal Swidler, Executive Chef at Broussard’s and Natasha Clement, Food Network’s “All-Star Academy” 2016 winner.

The National WWII Museum today announced the appointment of thirteen new members to the institution’s Board of Trustees. The new Museum Trustees hail from states across the nation, including Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Nevada and Washington. The newly elected Trustees also include Andre Villeneuve, who resides in London, which makes him the first person from outside of the United States to be elected to the Museum’s Board.

On July 21, 2017, The National WWII Museum will unveil a new special exhibit called The Pelican State Goes to War: Louisiana in World War II. Presented by The Alta and John Franks Foundation, the exhibit will feature artifacts, photographs, oral histories and associated educational programming to highlight Louisiana’s extraordinary contributions toward America achieving victory in World War II.

On June 10, 2017, The National WWII Museum will open its newest permanent exhibit—The Arsenal of Democracy: The Herman and George R. Brown Salute to the Home Front. Located on the second floor of the Museum’s original Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, the exhibit will tell the story of the road to war and the Home Front, including the political discord of the prewar years, the terror of the Pearl Harbor attacks, the massive mobilization in personnel and manufacturing, and the experience of ordinary Americans. Visitors will find themselves inside the story through nine immersive galleries, which re-create a newsstand, factory floor, 1940s home and more as the evocative backdrop for artifacts, digital interactives and personal narratives.

The National WWII Museum today announced that Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, will step down as president and CEO of the institution effective June 30, 2017, moving into a part-time role as president and CEO emeritus. The Museum’s national Board of Trustees has appointed Stephen Watson, longtime executive vice president and COO, as Mueller’s successor.

In honor of The Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation’s commitment to honoring Gold Star families, the Foundation has gifted The National WWII Museum with a Gold Star mural located on the side of the institution’s Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. The 26x14-foot painting will act as a lasting tribute to families who have lost a loved one in the service of the nation’s military, while also preserving the memory of the fallen and standing as a stark reminder that freedom is not free.

The National WWII Museum is proud to announce the 10th International Conference on World War II. Presented by the Pritzker Military Museum & Library and the Pritzker Military Foundation, the Conference takes place annually in New Orleans and features the world’s foremost WWII historians in discussions concerning battles, leaders and pivotal moments that shaped World War II. This year’s topics include: The Anglo-American Alliance, The Wehrmacht’s Last Stand, Dunkirk, MacArthur and Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich.

The National WWII Museum today announced new dates for its most popular tour: D-Day – The Invasion of Normandy & Liberation of France. Taking place from September 14 through 20, and again September 21 through 27, this spectacular tour itinerary will provide guests with an in-depth exploration of the sites key to America’s most famous WWII battle. Offering a full week of touring in Normandy, the Museum’s signature tour offers great value and features top guides, superior accommodations in prime locations, comprehensive dining and exclusive access to sites unseen on other programs.