National Veterans Memorial and Museum

At the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, we bring American history to life by connecting students to the powerful, personal stories and firsthand experiences of our Nation’s heroes. We strive to be a valuable educational resource for students K-12, college scholars and educators at all levels, offering comprehensive programming that engages learners and shares stories of service and sacrifice.

NEW Virtual Field Trips

Our Public Programming team now offers two different hands-on learning experiences for your class visit. Be inspired by seeing bravery up close during a museum field trip or schedule your students for one of three grade-specific virtual tours through our core exhibition areas with a live Museum Educator.

Coming Soon

Museum Field Trip

Learning Tours (K-12) A Museum Educator will work with you to create at least three learning objectives that can be met during your museum visit. Our field trips provide an in-depth perspective on the Veteran journey from why they serve through coming home and transitioning to civilian life. This is set against the backdrop of significant moments in U.S. history when the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s Veterans played a pivotal role in shaping our past, present and future.

Three Virtual Field Trip Packages

Boot Camp (K – Grade 5) Estimated Time: 30-35 minutes. Price: $125. This tour is designed to introduce students to the concept of service — to their country and to their community — while identifying how Veterans walk among us.

Tour of Duty (Grade 6 – 12) Estimated Time: 50-60 minutes. Price: $200. Tour focuses on the Veteran journey from why individuals serve through coming home and transitioning to civilian life where they make our communities stronger. Additionally, we cover significant moments in U.S. history when the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s Veterans played a pivotal role in shaping our past, present and future.

Tour of Honor (Distance Learning Presentation) Estimated Time: 75-85 minutes. Price: $250. These special engagements focus on a key theme related to the museum’s four pillars: Honor, Connect, Inspire and Educate. A guest speaker also is included.

To request a Museum Field Trip or a Virtual Field Trip, please call (614) 362-2800.

Stories of the Brave: Malquist Oral History Project

Since opening in the fall of 2018, we’ve been capturing the audio history of our nation’s Veterans. We’re partnering with WOSU Classroom and The Stewart Malquist Fund to promote sharing these oral histories with students to honor our nation’s Veterans. Students in grades 5-8 will explore these oral histories and create a poetic narrative published into an eBook.

Learn More

K-8 Curriculum

Connecting educators and students to the Veteran experience through stories and artifacts that educate and inspire is a great way to teach students using oral histories. Resources and lesson plans provide educators an opportunity to bring museum content to the classroom. Lessons can be used pre- and post-museum visit and we encourage educators to download those below.

Grades PK – K: The American Flag
Grades 1 – 3: George Washington
Grades 1 – 3: The Fourth of July
Grades 4 – 5: The State of Ohio
Grades 4 – 5: The War of 1812
Grades 6 – 8: Kevlar
Grades 6 – 8: The Civil War

National Veterans Memorial and Museum - K-12 Curriculum

9-12 Curriculum

Connecting educators and students to the Veteran experience through stories and artifacts that educate and inspire is a great way to teach students using oral histories. Resources and lesson plans provide educators an opportunity to bring museum content to the classroom. Lessons can be used pre- and post-museum visit and we encourage educators to download those below.

American History
American Government
Modern World History
Contemporary World Issues
English Language Arts

Meet VEC 001 (Veterans Education Carrier)

An interactive, remote-controlled unit designed to engage students. It houses historical video clips (Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech) and military artifacts K-12 students can handle to better understand the Veteran experience. VEC 001 was sponsored by the Battelle Memorial Institute and created by the museum education team in partnership with Matt Hatcher and his team, who work out of the Idea Foundry.

Women in the Military

Celebrate the amazing accomplishments of women in American and military history. Experience these stories in your classroom at home. View our Women in the Military PowerPoint from our VEC 001.

African American Military Pioneer

Col. Charles Young was the third African American to graduate from West Point Military Academy in 1889 and the first African American Colonel in the U.S. Army. Learn more about his accomplishments in our blog, Colonel Charles Young: African American Military Pioneer. Photo: U.S. Army

Celebrate Flag Day

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress. Download two fun worksheets below to learn more about the Stars and Stripes.

Celebrate Flag Day

Flag Matching Activity

Higher Education Resources

The Certificate in Public & Nonprofit Leadership for Veterans is a collaboration with The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs and sponsored by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. It is a unique opportunity focused on providing online leadership education to those who have recently left the military, those about to leave the military or individuals who work with Veterans. It is a graduate-level program where participants acquire six credit hours that are transferable to any of the graduate degrees at the Glenn College.

Learn More

National Veterans Memorial and Museum - Higher Ed Curriculum

Leadership Certification Testimonials

“As a recently transitioned veteran, the NVMM LCERT class taught me how to navigate my new corporate landscape and how to best apply the leadership skills that I honed in the military to this new world. The best part of the program was that the teaching came not just from the accomplished professors who taught the class, but also from the perspectives of my classmates on their experiences in the corporate world.”

Greg B.

Leadership Certification Testimonials

“The OSU John Glenn College of Public Affairs Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Leadership for Veterans. This class is for all leaders, no matter what your relationship is with the military – service member, spouse, or child. You will be learning in an environment where other military members have your back and are there to help you succeed and reach a new level of your leadership. Enroll!”

Cristina

Leadership Certification Testimonials

“The LCERT program was a very motivating experience. I made so many good connections that I will keep in touch with for many years to come. I would highly recommend this class to anyone in management or in a leadership position.
Semper Fi”

Joe

Group Tours

Planning a field trip for your class? We offer guided tours for groups of 10 or more with a discounted admission rate, a dedicated entrance and other group privileges. Reservations are required and should be made at least four weeks in advance.

Schedule a Group Tour