The National World War II Museum in New Orleans is finally opening the Liberation Pavilion. This is the seventh and final pavilion in the expansive project honoring and preserving the memories of the world's deadliest war. Decades in the making, the Liberation Pavilion at the WW2 Museum is now complete. Get to know what you can expect for your visit. Suggested read: The USS Barb: Sinking Ships and Freight Trains

The Liberation Pavilion Shows the Effects of WWII From a Personal POV

Although the Liberation Pavilion is three stories tall, the complex holds more stories than you can imagine. There are certainly no shortages of memorabilia and preservation throughout the National World War II Museum. However, this project is a bit different. That’s because it’s taking a noted personal approach. Visitors of the Liberation Pavilion New Orleans are going to find personal accounts of concentration camps, displays that put you in a prison bunk, a recreation of where Anne Frank hid, art depictions, and much more. https://youtu.be/lFkaLX5WwSs The 33,000-square-foot addition is focusing on the end of the war. Subjects such as human rights, rebuilding after the war, and unspeakable horrors are on display. Everything from films, to photos, to actual accounts from those who liberated concentration camps is found within the collection. This includes what came after the war and the necessary steps to find justice for the crimes against humanity while still working to move forward. While connected, each story holds its own unique themes. Overall, visitors can view not only the collection of inhumane things that were occurring but also how the aftermath continues to shape the world around us.

The First Floor

The main entrance of the Liberation Pavilion is breathtaking. You'll find yourself in a giant showroom of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion that features the Higgins boat, planes, and many other military vehicles. You’ll also find dog tags representing over 414,000 American warfighters who were killed in WWII. There are several other exhibits paying homage to fallen Veterans and incredible recreations of where Anne Frank and her family evaded Nazis. You'll also take a realistic look at the survivors in concentration camps as liberators found them. There are other displays around the Liberation Pavilion that you will want to explore on your own. These displays include artistic tributes and unique pieces of history. Everything around is reminding you of the moments of despair right before joy when prisoners were finally let free. Related read: $100M Donation Creates National Museum of Military Vehicles

The Second Floor

On the second floor, you’re going to find a shift from the moments of liberation to obtaining justice following the war. However, justice in a post-WWII world has multiple facets, looking at both American and world issues. Everything from Black Veterans dealing with social injustice after fighting for their country to equality for women would be pressing issues for Americans. Meanwhile, the Nuremberg war crimes trials were underway, and the United States was becoming a world power. Visitors can explore the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Nations, and more. You can also view how the Cold War came to be while the world was reconstructing itself.

The Third Floor

Finally, on the third floor of the Liberation Pavilion, you’ll find a theater that uses theatrics to bring forth the oral and visual histories of those who lived through the events. This is an important way to remember and record these invaluable stories for generations to come.

Plan Your Visit to the Liberation Pavilion

The creation of the Liberation Pavilion marks the end of a $400 million “Road to Victory Capital Campaign.” This pavilion completes the museum. But it isn’t the only addition on the property. In addition to the Liberation Pavilion, the WW2 museum is also opening the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground, a multi-use building that you can rent and host events at. Those who rent the 24,000-square-foot space also get a private showing of Expressions of America. The reality is, that the generation that liberated Europe won’t be here forever. Projects like the Liberation Pavilion are more than just a tribute to their sacrifice today. More importantly, they serve as a place to preserve their legacy forever. No matter if you are visiting for the first time or the hundredth, you shouldn't miss the National World War II Museum. Read next: The Military Aviation Museum Will Leave You Soaring This Veterans Day