Museum FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about the new National Infantry Museum.

Questions

1. When will you open?
2. How much will it cost?
3. What will it include?
4. Who’s paying for it?
5. How much will it cost to operate, and where will that money come from?
6. Who will run the museum?
7. Is the Army backing the new museum?
8. Why do we need a new museum?
9. How did you arrive at your estimate of 300,000 visitors annually?
10. Is Columbus backing the new museum?
11. What is the relationship between the National Infantry Association and the National Infantry Foundation?
12. Will there be guided tours of the new museum? What hours will it be open?
13. Will there be adequate parking for cars and buses? Will it be handicapped-accessible?
14. Will there be an admission fee?
15. Will you need volunteers, and if so, how can one sign up to be a volunteer?
16. Do you need artifacts, and if so, how can I donate them?

Answers

1. When will you open?
It’s hard to know exactly how long construction will take. But for most projects of this size and scope, it takes two years from the time the first shovel is turned for the project to be completed.

2. How much will it cost?
The National Infantry Foundation is working to raise $70 million for the new museum and Heritage Park.

3. What will it include?
The 200-acre site will hold the museum, a storage and restoration facility, a parade field, and a memorial walk. Inside the museum there’ll be a state-of-the-art IMAX theater, Infantry Adventure simulator attractions, a museum shop and a themed café.

4. Who’s paying for it?
The National Infantry Foundation, a private, non-profit organization, is seeking donations from both the private and public sectors. The federal government will retain ownership of the collection.

5. How much will it cost to operate, and where will that money come from?
Annual operating costs are estimated at $3 million. The funds will come from four sources: revenue from NIF-sponsored activities such as the café, museum shop, adventure area and theater; memberships to the museum and/or donations; an endowment; and the government’s portion to supervise and maintain the artifacts.

6. Who will run the museum?
The Foundation, governed by a board of directors, will be responsible for the operation of the new facility. However, the exhibits and artifacts will be under the control of the Director of the Infantry Museum and his or her staff, who are government employees.

7. Is the Army backing the new museum?
The Army is fully supportive of this project, and will lease at no cost its half of the 200-acre site to the Foundation at no cost.

8. Why do we need a new museum?
The current museum, located in a 1920s-era hospital building on Fort Benning’s main post, is inadequate both in terms of size and conditions. Many important artifacts cannot be displayed because of space limitations. Artifacts are showing deterioration because of improper lighting and air conditions. There is no room for growth, and restoration of the facility would be cost prohibitive. Furthermore, the current museum’s location makes it inaccessible to many visitors.

9. How did you arrive at your estimate of 300,000 visitors annually?
Lord Cultural Resources, Inc., a world-renowned museum consulting firm, arrived at that estimate after a careful study of comparable museums, as well as visitor statistics for the area.

10. Is Columbus backing the new museum?
The Foundation enjoys remarkable support and encouragement from the City of Columbus and from the Columbus community. The City has deeded half of the 200-acre site to the Foundation at no cost. Recognizing the ongoing economic benefit that will result from the construction of the new museum, the City is working closely with the Foundation to make this project a success. Local philanthropists have energetically endorsed the project.

11. What is the relationship between the National Infantry Association and the National Infantry Foundation?
The National Infantry Association and the National Infantry Foundation work closely together in adjoining suites in a Columbus, Georgia, office building, but their missions are separate. The Association is a membership organization that supports the Infantry by virtue of its size and composition. It produces a quarterly magazine called The Infantry Bugler and offers scholarships to Infantrymen. The Foundation was formed for the sole purpose of raising the funds for, and operating, a new National Infantry Museum.

12. Will there be guided tours of the new museum? What hours will it be open?
The new National Infantry Museum will encourage schools and organizations to arrange tours. In addition, dozens of trained volunteers and costumed guides will be scattered throughout the museum to answer visitors’ questions, and guide them through the Infantry experience. Hours have not yet been set, but the museum will be open 7 days a week.

13. Will there be adequate parking for cars and buses? Will it be handicapped-accessible?
Three parking areas will create space for 600 cars and up to 50 buses. The entire site will accommodate visitors who are disabled.

14. Will there be an admission fee?
No, admission to the grounds and museum is free. There will be nominal charges, however, for the IMAX theater and the Infantry Adventure simulators. The museum shop and themed café will offer reasonably priced snacks and gifts.

15. Will you need volunteers, and if so, how can one sign up to be a volunteer?
The National Infantry Foundation welcomes the help of volunteers. As we get closer to opening the new museum, we’ll post volunteer information on this site.

16. Do you need artifacts, and if so, how can I donate them?
The museum is always looking to expand and improve its collection. However, the donation of artifacts must adhere to strict guidelines. If you have items you’d like to donate, call the museum director at (706) 545-2958.