The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM), located in Downtown Columbus, honors all of our veterans from all branches and all eras.
Guests experience a narrative journey of individual stories and experiences of veterans through photos, letters and personal effects, multi-media presentations, and interactive exhibits.
The four foundational pillars aim to Honor, Connect, Inspire, and Educate. Guided Museum Tours are available daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Read below for upcoming exhibits, events, and museum discounts.
Exhibits at NVMM
Lost Man Blues: Jon Schueler-Art & War: January 12 – May 16, 2024
Lost Man Blues: Jon Schueler-Art & War transports viewers into the beauty that Schueler, an esteemed, prolific American abstract expressionist, experienced as he flew among the clouds as a World War II B-17 navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Special events at National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Solar Eclipse Day on the Rooftop at National Veteran’s Memorial Museum
April 8, 2024
Catch the Great North American Eclipse from the rooftop of the NVMM! In partnership with the Ohio History Connection, we will have hands-on learning programs throughout the Museum between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission is free for NVMM members, $5 for OHC and COSI members, and $10 for anyone else who wants to marvel at this celestial phenomenon. Special eclipse glasses will be provided to all visitors.
Yoga, Jiu Jitsu, and other wellness events
Various yoga, wellness, and Jiu Jitsu classes are offered throughout the month. All are welcome.
Admission for National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Free admission for U.S. military Veterans, active-duty military, and Gold Star families.
Adults (18-64) = $17
Senior (65+) = $15
College student with ID = $12
Youth (5-17)=$10
Children under 5 = Free
The Memorial Grove, a place of respectful reflection, is free and open from dawn to dusk
Membership starts at just $35/yr for one person
Parking is $5-$10, but free for Veteran, Active-Duty, Gold Star Families.
Free admission with Pickerington Experience Pass
Get free admission with the Pickerington Experience Pass, available for in-person checkout at all branches of the Pickerington Public Library.
Pickerington Experience Passes allow general admission for up to 2 adults and 5 children and be redeemed one time within two days of checkout. Even parking is free! Bring your parking ticket inside to the Welcome Desk for validation! Holds may be placed using a Pickerington Public Library card ONLY.
Columbus Member Advantage Program
If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to NVMM and other attractions through the Columbus Member Advantage program.
No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.
Member Advantage partners for 2023 include:
- Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
- Dawes Arboretum (see our article)
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
- Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
- Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
- COSI (advanced tickets required)
- The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology (also qualifies for ASTC reciprocal admission)
Museum Hours
Currently open Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except special events or holidays.
Special Holiday Hours: OPEN
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents Day ($1 admission)
- Memorial Day (free admission)
- July 4
- Veterans Day
Holidays CLOSED
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Labor Day
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 362-2800
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Past events at NVMM; tba for 2024
Purple Heart 5K Run: Saturday, August 6 at 7:30 pm
In recognition of Purple Heart Day on Sunday, August 7, we are hosting The Buckeye Purple Heart Foundation’s Annual 5K Run/Walk. This special day honors all of our nation’s brave servicemen and women who were killed or wounded in action. With a unique start time of 7:30 p.m., participants will experience the trail and skyline of Columbus lit up in purple. All participants will receive a T-shirt and commemorative coin.
Pets and Vets Week
October 19-22, 2022 from 11 am – 3 pm daily
From service animals to household companions, animals are shown to reduce stress and positively impact overall health in humans.
This free community event is open to the public and includes adoption opportunities from local shelters and animal welfare organizations. Well-behaved service animals trained to assist visitors with disabilities are always welcome during Museum visits.
If you wish to explore the museum, they are offering a discounted $10 ticket for those who attend the Pets for Vets events. See more details and information about bringing your pet on the website.
National First Responders Day
October 28, 2022
All active and retired first responders get free admission on National First Responders Day. A valid ID must be presented at the door. Details here
Memorial Weekend at NVMM
Free admission from Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27, 2024. Donations accepted to pay it forward to honor Veterans, Gold Star Families and ensure future accessible programming for all. Details.
Rooftop CrossFit Hero Workout
May 25 at 8-11 am
Join the NVMM and CrossFit Clintonville on Saturday, May 27, for a workout in honor Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, Lieutenant Michael Murphy. Murphy was killed in action when he risked his life to call for help during an ambush while serving in Afghanistan in 2005. Remember Lt. Murphy, his sacrifice and the impact it left on the people around him this Memorial Day Weekend.
There will be three separate times for you to be able to participate in this event: Heat One will begin at 8 a.m., Heat Two will begin at 9 a.m. and Heat Three will begin at 10 a.m. Registration for preferred timeslot available soon!
The National Ride for Freedom
May 25, 2024 at 11 am
Rev up your engines for the National Ride for Freedom! The vibrations from this event are expected to be felt all over town as hundreds of motorcycles converge at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. All motorcyclists are welcome to take part in this commemorative ride. Registration is $15.
Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil
May 26, 2023 at 7 pm – 9 pm
During Memorial Day weekend, we honor the sacrifices of our Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in service to our country with a Candlelight Vigil.
This year’s guest speaker will be Tara Harris, daughter of First Sergeant Glenn Harris of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, who was killed in a training accident after returning home from the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. Harris will share her path to healing and discovery found by reaching out to the Rangers who knew her father best.
U.S. Army Veteran and country musician, Keni Thomas, will share a tribute for Families of the Fallen.
Following a dessert reception at 7 p.m., the Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil procession will begin on the Museum rooftop and travel down to the Soldiers Cross in Memorial Grove. Details here.
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony
May 27, 2024 at 10 am
Mark Memorial Day with our annual Remembrance Ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on the National Veterans Memorial and Museum rooftop.
The keynote message will be provided by Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, America’s first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress and the 32nd Under Secretary of the U.S. Army. He will share the importance of remembering our fallen service members.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Folks can register for an in-person seat here. Those who are not able to join in person can watch live on Facebook or YouTube.
Patriot Day Ceremony and Free Admission
September 11, 2023. The Museum will commemorate the Anniversary of September 11, 2001, during the Patriot Day Ceremony.
Join us at the Museum or online on Monday, September 11, for our Patriot Day Ceremony. We will honor all those who lost their lives, the first responders who rescued many and refused to leave anyone behind and the Veterans who served again on that fateful day 22 years ago. Details.
Rally Point at NVMM
Free, monthly event on the first Saturday of select months dedicated to connecting and educating Veterans, Veterans’ families, and those who wish to support Veterans. Check here for upcoming events.
Vets Town Hall
November 10, 2023 at 10 am
The NVMM and Vets Town Hall cofounder, Sebastian Junger, invite community members to an inspiring Vets Town Hall event. Veterans of any era who served in any capacity are invited to stand before their community and speak for up to ten minutes about what it was like to serve their country. Both Veterans and non-Veterans are encouraged to attend and listen.
Veterans Day Ceremony and Free Admission
November 11, 2023
Honor and celebrate the selfless service of millions of Veterans who have defended our freedoms and way of life during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
Keynote speaker will be U.S. Navy Veteran and Chief Operating Officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Jay Anderson. This event is free, but registration is required.
Thanks to sponsors, museum admission is free to all on Veterans Day.
Presidents Day $1 Admission
February 19, 2024
This Presidents Day, connect with the stories of Presidents who served for a Washington ($1). Learn more about their unique stories and discover the experiences of our Veteran Presidents when you visit.
Special activities include:
- Presidential Trivia with Prizes
- Presidential Scavenger Hunt
- Hands-on navigation activity featuring our newest exhibition, Lost Man Blues: Jon Schueler – Art and War. Visitors can track John Schueler’s flight path from a January 1943 bombing run to St. Nazaire using navigation instruments.
- Explore real flight computers in the Tuskegee Airmen Alcove.
Welcome Home Ceremony – National Vietnam War Veterans Day
March 29, 2024
Join us at the museum on Vietnam War Veterans Day for a moving ceremony to welcome home Veterans, many of whom never received that honor after serving our country during the Vietnam War.
Our keynote speaker is Chief Master Sergeant Ray Snedegar, U.S. Air Force (Retired) who served for 32 years in the Air Force from 1958-1990. In 1975, Snedegar was assigned to help with the mission, Operation Babylift in Vietnam. He will share how he helped save the lives of 145 babies and 12 adults after an attack of the plane. In total, Operation Babylift evacuated more than 3,000 orphans from Saigon.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
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