Last updated: 5/11/2021
Arlington, Virginia
Street Address
Memorial Ave & Schley Dr.Arlington, VA 22202
Mailing Address
200 North Glebe Rd. Suite 400Arlington, VA 22203
phone: 703-625-0533
e-mail: hq@womensmemorial.org
web: womensmemorial.org/

Hours

Monday - Saturday
9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday
12 PM - 5 PM
Closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (Note the facility is occasionally closed for private events).

Admissions

Free. Tour groups are encouraged to coordinate in advance for guided tours.

Free

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Jeanette Edmunds
phone: 703-625-0533
Description

As the only historical repository documenting all military women's service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. We honor the commitment, contributions and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces.

Mission

The Military Women's Memorial honors and tells the stories of women, past and present, who serve our nation.

History

On November 6, 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed into law PL-610: the bill that authorized the establishment of "a memorial on Federal lands in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States." The law also charged WIMSA with conducting the public campaign on behalf of the Memorial. In June 1995, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, and construction soon began. The completed Memorial dedicated and opened to the public on October 18, 1997 includes the Court of Valor with its reflecting pool and a 200-jet fountain representing the sound of women's voices. The upper terrace features stunning views of the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery as well as the Memorial's signature arc of glass tablets.

The Heart of the Memorial is the Register - where visitors are offered a unique look at some of the individual stories that make up the collective history of women's service and where a tribute can be made to a specific woman who has served. Visitors can access an interactive computer database, which holds the names, service data, memorable experiences, awards and decorations, and photographs of more than 290,000 servicewomen registered with the Memorial. While substantial and likely the largest related to military women in the world, this number represents less than 10 percent of the approximately 3 million women who have served since the American Revolution.

Artifact Collections

We are the leading memorial and education center honoring women's contributions to the service of our nation.

As the only historical repository documenting all military women's service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. We honor the commitment, contributions and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces.

Research Collections

The Military Women's Memorial Collections department is ready to help you understand the rich history and culture of America's military women. Our mission is to collect, preserve, document, analyze, and make available the history of women's service in and with the US Armed Forces.

The Military Women's Memorial Foundation Collection houses more than 8,000 donations, including photographs, documents, textiles, artifacts, and audiovisual material representing all eras and services of American women's military history. Our considerable resources also include over 1,000 oral history narratives and a research library of over 1,000 books by and about military women.

The Collection and library are accessible to researchers upon appointment and material is available for loan to museums and other qualified organizations.

While every offer of memorabilia is important to us, space limitations and accepted collection policies and practices limit our ability to accept every item offered to us.

For research inquiries or to discuss a Collection donation, please contact Britta Granrud, Curator of Collections, at 703-533-1155 x120 or curator@womensmemorial.org.

Educational Programs

In addition to our permanent exhibits and display cases we have various activity carts for younger visitors throughout the year. docent tours are available with prior reservation. Films relevant to the history of military women's service are scheduled for screenings. A virtual tour at https://virtual-tour.womensmemorial.org/ is available to preview the Memorial. Visit our web site at womensmemorial.org to learn more.

Facilities

33,000 square foot memorial/museum located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Governance

The Women In Military Service For America Memorial is a 501(c)3 governed by a board of directors.

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: Yes
Publications

Available Publications include:

Annual report (annually)
Newsletter to subscribers (monthly)
Services

The Memorial has a gift shop, a 197 seat theater and other spaces available as rental for private events.

Note About Special Events

The Military Women’s Memorial is a unique and memorable venue to host your next event. Located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), this landmark location is the ideal venue for a variety of events, including military ceremonies, receptions, gala dinners, conferences, film and theater premieres and more. The Memorial is a convenient venue to host receptions following ceremonies at ANC. To schedule a private tour and learn more about booking your next event with us, email events@womensmemorial.org with “Venue Request” in the subject line or call 703-892-2606.

Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA

The Military Women?s Memorial is committed to providing inclusive experiences, and we welcome all visitors. If you would like to discuss specific needs or accommodations, please email AccessUs@womensmemorial.org or call the AccessUs hotline at 703-963-8188.

A limited number of complimentary wheelchairs are available from the Coat Check on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Theater has accessible seating available. Ask a team member for assistance. Elevators are available and reach every level of the Memorial.

Tours with ASL

Tours with an ASL interpreter are available with two-weeks advance notice. Email AccessUs@womensmemorial.org for details.

Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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