Marine Corps Command Museum

The Marine Corps Command Museum is located in San Diego and features one of the most extensive collections of Marine Corps historical items in the country. There are more than 150,000 visitors to the museum each year. The museum fills over 22,000-square feet of space. The museum fulfills its mission by providing " an educational setting that portrays the legacy of the Marine Corps for the training of recruits and the continuing education of Marines, that functions as a supporting arm to the recruiting effort, and that serves as a bridge to the civilian community." There are research archives onsite that help those who want to learn more and apply their knowledge about the Marine Corps and the history of the Marine Corps in San Diego. The archives are open to the public, but and appointment must be made. Admission to the museum is free. Guests are required to leave an ID and proof of insurance if driving onto the base to get to the museum. The education program at the museum teaches United States and world history to kindergarten through twelfth grade students. The program also teaches Marine Corps history and values, offers guided tours of the museum, helps educators in the area develop curricula, and helps develop historical materials about the Marine Corps. The Corps' history is a big part of San Diego history, so understanding the development and role the Marine Corps played is important for those studying San Diego.