August at the Museum
Scioto Arts Market
The Scioto Peninsula will transform into a vibrant celebration of art, creativity, and community service with the debut of the Scioto Arts Market (SAM) monthly series, hosted in tandem with the Columbus Volunteer Festival as a pop-up event in the parking lot of the National Veterans Memorial & Museum (NVMM).
Teaching with Veteran Stories: Webinar for Educators
Explore Veteran stories from anywhere with a live, interactive virtual tour of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) as part of Wreaths Across America’s free TEACH Webinar Series. Led by NVMM’s Education Manager, this 360-degree tour gives you an inside look at our exhibits, with time for questions and discussion.
Rear Admiral Matthew Pottenburgh
Navy Week Opening Ceremony
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) will host the Opening Ceremony for Columbus Navy Week, at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. Rear Admiral and Columbus, Ohio, native Matthew Pottenburgh will deliver remarks during the program, along with other local leaders and dignitaries. The U.S. Navy Band will perform. Following the ceremony, there will be a “meet-and-greet” opportunity with Navy personnel in attendance. The ceremony kicks off a week of Navy activities throughout the Greater Columbus community.
Navy Week / Naval History and Heritage Command
Columbus Navy Week will bring 50 to 60 sailors to the city to engage with the community through a dynamic schedule of performances, educational outreach and community service projects.
Personnel from the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) will be staffing two display tables from noon to 7 p.m. in the NVMM. showcasing their mission to collect, preserve, and share 250 years of U.S. Navy history.
An Evening with the Blue Angels
In partnership with the Columbus Air Show, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) presents “An Evening with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.” The free event will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, on the NVMM Rooftop at 7 p.m. Museum doors will open at 5:30 p.m. allowing event ticketholders to enjoy complimentary after-hours museum admission. The Blue Angels will be the featured performers at the Columbus Air Show Aug. 22-24 at Rickenbacker International Airport.
“Light During Wartime: The Combat Photography of Stacy Pearsall”
Light During Wartime is a collection of photographs by Stacy Pearsall that showcase her unique painterly use of light and shadow.
Pearsall served with the U.S. Air Force Combat Photography Unit from 2003 to 2008. During that time, Pearsall photographed U.S. military troops and locals. Through her work, she portrays moments of action, as well as the in-between moments of camaraderie, rest, and reflection.
After being wounded in combat, Pearsall retired from the Air Force in 2008. Photos from her “Veterans Portrait Project” are showcased as part of the NVMM’s permanent exhibition in the Great Hall of the Museum.
