Ralph Appelbaum Associates

The Carolina Museum of the Marine in Jacksonville is a 25,000-square-foot institution dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of Carolina Marines and Sailors through personal storytelling and community connections. Designed by RAA, the museum explores the relationship between the Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune, and the local community while highlighting Marine values of honor, courage, and commitment through immersive, human-centered experiences.

Visitors begin their journey outdoors with an authentic Higgins Boat, a commemorative garden, and a continuously burning Tribute Flame. Inside, the Great Hall features a 48-star World War II flag, a military Jeep, and immersive displays that guide visitors through Marine history.

Galleries explore the origins of Camp Lejeune, the sacrifices of local residents who gave up their land for its creation, and the experiences of recruits at places such as Parris Island and Montford Point. Interactive exhibits include an amphibious warfare theater and an authentic LVT-4 vehicle.

Later galleries focus on Marines returning home, the impact of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, and the evolution of modern warfare from the Vietnam War to the Global War on Terror. Through artifacts, oral histories, immersive media, and community input, RAA helped create a powerful experience that honors service, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between Marines and the communities they serve.