04/15/2026
We CANNOT WAIT for Carolina Museum of the Marine to open in June! 🎉 🪖
Museum Doors Opening Soon
By Mike McHugh
A dream that started more than 26 years ago is becoming a reality.
The Carolina Museum of the Marine will open to the public on June 8, 2026.
The 25,000 square-foot “Smithsonian quality” museum will take visitors back to 1941 when American military leaders foresaw an imminent war in the Pacific Theater and a need for land to conduct amphibious training.
The history of Marines who trained and worked on Carolina bases such as Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station and Cherry Point are the focus of the museum, according to Carolina Museum of the Marine President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Shrader.
MajGen Shrader served 41 years in the Marine Corps enlisting after graduating high school in 1981. A Mustang, MajGen Shrader began his military service as a soldier but quickly switched to the USMC.
MajGen Shrader briefed the Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026, at the group’s General Membership Meeting at Preston’s Corner Bar & Grill. MajGen Shrader’s presentation was broadcast on the chamber’s page.
Visitors to the museum will walk to the building--located at Lejuene Gardens in Jacksonville—via the Patriots Walkway lined with benches, pavers engraved with donors’ names and a reflecting pool.
Inside the museum a Great Hall with a capacity of more than 1,000 people is centered between three galleries and an introduction and “outro” area. There will be a cafe staffed by local veteran-owned business The Milk Road.
The museum will initially function with nine full-time employees and 76 registered volunteers of which 36 have been trained to be docents.
While all the fees have yet to be published, Shrader said an admission fee of $14 for adults will be charged with discounts to retired and active duty military.
The building will be available for rentals to the public for birthdays, reunions and balls.
To learn more about the Museum of the Marine logon to www.MuseumoftheMarine.com.
