The San Diego Veterans Museum

Leading San Diego to Honor Veterans

* Exhibit Visits Open TUE JAN 14 11:00

New 2025 Displays Currently In Work

* Ceremony & Private Events Continue Unchanged.

* FREE TUESDAY JAN 14 Open 11-3:30

* THUR JAN 16 – SAT JAN 18 Open 11-3:30

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*Reservations: Private Ceremony or Event

Use “Events” dropdown on White Bar above.

*Celebrations/Meetings: Use “Events” tool.

Followup: reservations@veteranmuseum.org

*Military: Use “Military Events” & “Reservation Request” tool to Start Request.

Followup: reservations@veteranmuseum.org

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*Tour Requests / Business actions: activities@veteranmuseum.org 619-239-2300

*Donate Artifacts/Books: activities@veteranmuseum.org 619-239-2300

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Balboa Park Exhibit

By March 29, 1942, the Navy took possession of Balboa Park and renamed it Camp Kidd, for Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd who was killed on the bridge of the battleship USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The entire Park was off limits to civilians and the Navy forced all organizations in the Park to vacate. The buildings and facilities were then used to accommodate the Navy’s needs, expansion of the Naval Hospital, education, and quarters for troops. – Balboa Park, An Urban History

“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight—it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

– President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Women in Service Exhibit

Women have a larger presence in our military today than ever before. With more than 200,000 women serving in the active-duty military, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) predicted that by 2020 women veterans will comprise nearly 11 percent of the total veteran population. – Huffington Post

Korean Conflict Exhibit

“I was drafted during the Korean War. None of us wanted to go… It was only a couple of years after World War II had ended. We said, ‘Wait a second? Didn’t we just get through with that?'” – Clint Eastwood

OUR FOCUS

The Veterans Museum honors all who served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces by documenting their experiences and preserving their legacy for future generations through their individual stories.

EVENTS

Our museum space offers a prestigious and flexible setting perfect for your private event.

Whether a corporate meeting, a family celebration, a wedding, or military ceremony for a promotion or retirement, there are a variety of spaces available to meet your budget.

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EXHIBITS

In “Patriots Hall”, the central hall: Veterans’ experiences Serving Worldwide In Peace & War, from World War I to the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. In five separate galleries: “Veterans Who Became Presidents” – learn about all 31! “Women in the Military” “How Our Military Shaped San Diego” “American Ex-Prisoners Of War” and “Vietnam War In Totality” – including recorded phone calls to home, from the war!

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RESEARCH

Our volunteers and guests preserve the legacy of our military members every day. The library hosts books and videos documenting military history and experiences.

The archives department collects and catalogues materials relevant to our military history.

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The Location of Choice for Your Private Event

Plan your event in a space surrounded by history. Our offerings can be customized: large or small, personal or corporate, in settings that allow for 10 to 100 guests.

Meeting
Celebration
Graduation
Seminar
Reunion
Memorial
Retirement
Promotion / Pinning
Commissioning
Change of Command

Surrounded by History

Our exhibits tell the story of the life you have led. Your service, your courage and your sacrifices are engrained in our surroundings.

Formerly the San Diego Naval Hospital Chapel at Inspiration Point in Balboa Park, the museum holds special significance for those who have lived and worked in our military town. In 1989, the museum was chartered to honor, host, display and educate veterans and their families.

We invite you to join us – as a museum guest, a museum member, to research a family member’s involvement in the military, to preserve your story as a veteran, to host an event or attend a public event.