The Mission of the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is to honor and preserve the heritage of the men who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle during WWII. We share the real stories of the dedication, fears and heroism of the quarter of a million men who served and trained at Camp Gordon Johnston at our museum The museum promotes not only the history of WWII, but also portrays the gigantic effort that our nation poured into this conflict.
The Museum has compiled an extensive history of the various units that trained here, as well as a photographic display of the area and life as it existed at the camp. Furthermore, the Camp Gordon Johnston veterans have contributed the artifacts brought back from battles overseas, along with uniforms, mess kits, and all sorts of souvenirs, too numerous to name.
The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum has been nationally honored by the Smithsonian Magazine for three straight years. Admission is free and all visitors are welcome. For group tours or individual visits outside of normal hours, call the Museum at (850) 697-8575 for additional arrangements. Tours are welcome and WWII veterans will be given special consideration. A wheelchair is available.
The Camp Gordon Johnston Association also participates in parades and educational historic events and welcomes field trips from schools, clubs and other organizations. To request for our participation in an events please contact us.
Our Roots
Early in 1995 a group of North Florida people began speculating on the possibility of forming a Camp Gordon Johnston Association and holding reunions of men and women who served there. It was soon discovered that a whole lot of people were electrified by the idea, and we began holding regular meetings in Lanark Village or Carrabelle. The result was a smashing first reunion March 1-3, 1996 and a commitment to hold annual reunions each March for the foreseeable future. The reunions so far have been great fun and well attended. The men and women who served came to Camp Gordon Johnston from every state in the Union during World War II and they’re coming from every state for the reunions, too. From this grew the desire and need for an actual museum.
The museum also preserves an oral history, preserving the experiences of our veterans. Many of these stories are told in our publication, the Amphibian, official newspaper of the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum. To access our latest issue click here.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum wins a 2021 Florida Preservation Award
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum was recognized by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation with a 2021 Florida Preservation Award. These Florida Preservation Awards recognize people, organizations and communities who have worked to protect Florida’s extraordinary history and heritage.
The Florida Preservation Award nominations “are made by the public with award recipients selected by a five-member jury from around the state representing a variety of backgrounds and experience” according to the press release from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum was awarded Noteworthy Achievement in the category of Preservation Education/Media. The mission of the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is to honor and preserve the heritage of the men and women who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston. As part of its museum development efforts, the Camp Gordon Johnston Association successfully obtained funding to research, design, produce and install exhibits featuring ten interior panels, a retractable banner display unit, 3,000 new informational brochures and the fabrication and installation of six outdoor interpretive signs, display structures, graphic panels and design standards manuals. Both the indoor and outdoor panels have furthered the educational component of the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum with new research and interpretation presented in a professionally designed format. These educational efforts are especially important as there are increasingly fewer WWII veterans to participate in reunions.
For more information, contact the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com or go to https://www.floridatrust.org/2021-florida-preservation-awards. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
