Visit the Parris Island Museum, where every artifact holds a story. Our displays range from Spanish and French settlements during the 16th century, to the development of Parris Island as a training depot for U.S. Marines, to exhibits on World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Every Marine who trains at Parris Island walks through our hallowed halls to learn more about their legacy. Be sure to check out the video on the trials of modern recruit training while visiting!
Monday - Saturday | 1000-1630 Thursday and Friday of Graduation Weeks Only | 0800-1630 Gift Shop | Closes at 1600
Closed Sundays and Federal Holidays
Front Desk 843-228-2951 Email
pimuseum@usmc.mil
Address 676 Panama Street, Bldg 111 Parris Island, South Carolina 29905
Base Access for Personal Visits Civilians unaffiliated with the military are permitted on base to visit the museum. When you arrive at the MCRD Parris Island front gate, tell the Military Police you are going to visit the museum. To access base, visitors 18+ years old must have a valid REAL ID-compliant License/ID. Visitors driving a personal vehicle must also present vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If you are driving a rental car, present a copy of the rental agreement. Visitors under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
For More Information about Base Access Policies: Click Here
Group Visits Group visits and tour buses must review and submit group visitor registration within the established timelines. Follow the link to submit your group visit request: Visitor Registration & Group Visit Requests
Directions to the Museum After getting through the front gate, take the 3rd exit on the roundabout. Drive approximately 2.5 miles down Malecon Drive, which turns into Boulevard de France once buildings appear. Take a right on Samoa Street directly after you pass under the “We Make Marines” sign. Drive 1 block and take a left on Panama Street. The museum is on your right. Look for the Japanese field guns in front of the building.
Accessibility The War Memorial Building (Museum) was constructed in 1951, before most standards about accessibility were established. Accessibility parking and a ramp for access is available on the left side, around the back of the building. Please ring the doorbell at the rear side entrance. Someone will be available to open the doors shortly after.
Photography Photos are permitted throughout the museum. Outside, photos for personal use are permitted. Please do not take photos of recruits or permanent base personnel.
Parris Island Museum holds a vast archival collection as well as a reference library related to Parris Island, the Marine Corps, and Beaufort County. Staff can assist with small research requests with specific goals but recommend physical visits for larger projects. Contact us to make an appointment.
Unfortunately, Parris Island does not have rosters containing the names of those who have attended Marine Corps Recruit Training here. If seeking information about a specific individual, staff recommend using genealogy sites such as Ancestry.com or Fold3.com. If you are a DoD servicemember, dependent, military retiree, or DoD civilian, you can access these databases through dodmwrlibraries.org. If you are a family member or veteran looking for a DD Form 214, go to www.archives.gov and click on the “Veterans’ Service Records” tab.
Parris Island Museum has a small collection of donated platoon books dating back to 1950. If you are looking for a platoon book, please contact us with the date of graduation and platoon number. This information helps determine whether the requested book is in the collection; there are no lists or rosters that correlate names with platoon numbers and years. If the book you are seeking is available, staff will send you scans of the book via email.
To check availability or request platoon/recruit photos, contact the Recruit Photo office. Be sure to have the specific platoon number and year on hand.