National D-Day Museum

    The entrance hall contains several vehicles including mint-condition German staff cars, a M-3 halftrack and a Higgins boat. A self-described young man (about 84 if my math is right...) gave an enthusiastic and informative presentation of the Higgins boat. As a D-Day survivor that crewed a Higgins boat during the invasion on Normandy beach, he gave an interesting first-hand description of the events. By far, this was the best part of the museum.

    Proceeding along the well-marked path, the first exhibit is titled "War Clouds" and describes the events leading up to the US participation in WWII. There are displays comparing the inadequate strength of the United States, compared to the enormous German and Japanese forces in the late 1930s. A short video explains the political situation leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' declaration of war on 8 December 1941.

    The following section is "America Goes to War" and briefly describes the difficulties the American people suffered during WW II. This section is pretty brief and is limited to posters, text displays and a few artifacts. By now the textual displays, although well written, are getting tedious. One of the best parts of the museum are the "oral history" cubicles, in which you hear oral histories from a wide variety of people representing all parts of our society. Each cubicle plays a collection of four or five oral histories. 

    The Higgins boat display is limited to a few artifacts from the New Orleans production facility and models of the various models boats produced for the USN. As the home of the Higgins boat facility, I thought this section was grossly underrepresented. 

    "The Atlantic Wall" is interesting, as is the detailed cut-a-way of the German observation fortification along the Normandy coast. The life-size recreation of the observation deck was a bit much and does not add to the display. Perhaps better scenery, or realistic equipment and setting would add to the value of this display. As it is, it's just a room. The section containing German and American uniforms and equipment is very well done, especially the anti-tank weaponry. Outside the Imperial War Museum in London, this is one of the best presentations I've seen.

    The "Air and Sea Assault" area contains a very realistic scene of a glider smashed into a rock wall. The entire room is darkened and entirely believable. With just a little imagination, it seems you traveled back into time. This is probably the best static display anywhere.

    The remaining displays are pretty much a mixture of artifacts and presentations that, while interesting, don't add to the experience. On exiting you pass by the museum store which is exciting. Books, books, books!  A wide selection of anything and everything military!  I spent my wife's paycheck.

    CONCLUSION:  You have to recognize the museum is new, the word is still spreading, and reputation growing. It looks like the curator has done the best job possible with the resources he had.  Although some of the areas are temporarily skimpy, the museum is purchasing artifact collections as they come available and receives donations from veterans, many of which are already on display. The museum is well laid out, organized and documented. With a little time (and a few more donations), the D-Day museum will make everyone's A-list. It is well worth a visit if you find yourself in Louisiana.