Special Events

Special Exhibit for Sept 28-Oct 30: Surrenders and War’s End

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting a special exhibit about the surrenders and war’s end in the Asia-Pacific and Europe-Mediterranean Theaters of Operations. This exhibit will open Tuesday, September 28 at 11 am and will be on display at the museum until Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 5 pm. There is no charge for admission but donations are gladly accepted. The museum and exhibit are open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am – 5 pm.

On May 7, 1945 Karl Donitz, a naval admiral, ardent Nazi, and Hitler’s successor, agreed to the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany’s armed forces to take effect the next day. The document of surrender was signed that day at Reims, in northeastern France by General Alfred Jodl. On May 8, people filled the streets in celebration and this day is known as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day).

On August 14, 1945, the Japanese surrendered without qualifications to the United States and thus, preparations began for an official surrender and the end of World War II. On September 2, 1945 the formal surrender documents were signed on the decks of the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This day is celebrated as Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) in the United States. Come to this special exhibit to learn more about these two surrenders and how World War II ended.

This special exhibit will consist of relevant artifacts like Soviet Army and Italian equipment, Nuremberg trials related documents such as a vintage copy of Hitler’s will, occupation souvenirs from Italy and Japan, photos of post-war Germany, and more.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

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Download the PDF version here: CGJ Golf Tournament 2021 Flyer and Reg Form

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Special Exhibit for November 2- 27: Honoring our Native American Servicemembers 

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is excited to announce a special exhibit honoring Native American Servicemen. This exhibit will open Tuesday, November 2 and will be on display at the museum until Saturday, November 27. November is National Native American Heritage Month, and the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum salutes their service and sacrifice. The museum and exhibit is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and there is no charge for admission.

“During World War I and World War II, hundreds of American Indians joined the United States armed forces and used words from their traditional tribal languages as weapons. The United States military asked them to develop secret battle communications based on their languages—and America’s enemies never deciphered the coded messages they sent. “Code Talkers,” as they came to be known after World War II, are twentieth-century American Indian warriors and heroes who significantly aided the victories of the United States and its allies.

The Code Talkers’ role in war required intelligence and bravery. They developed and memorized a special code. They endured some of the most dangerous battles and remained calm under fire. They served proudly, with honor and distinction. Their actions proved critical in several important campaigns, and they are credited with saving thousands of American and allies’ lives.”
(Source: The National Museum of the American Indian).

Come to the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum during this special exhibit and learn about the Native Americans who fought for the United States in World War II. Discover the story of the Code Talkers, who used their unbreakable code based on their native tongues to help defeat the enemy.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

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Past Events

Smithsonian Museum Day, Saturday, September 18

Carrabelle’s three museums will open their doors free of charge on Saturday September 18, 2021 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 17^th annual Museum Day, a national celebration of boundless curiosity. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian. In honor of this day, Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, Carrabelle History Museum, and Crooked River Lighthouse Museum will have special activities and exhibits.

Museum Day goes beyond getting visitors through museum doors—it acts as a springboard to empower and help advance the hopes and ambitions of the public. It represents a national commitment to access, equity and inclusion. With many public spaces being shut down for a year or more, Museum Day 2021 celebrates the reopening of museums after long closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme, Experience America, represents the return to, and resurgence of, our country’s diverse cultural experiences, in the safest possible way. While admission will be free of charge, the museums will have safety precautions in place for this year’s event so guests can safely and comfortably enjoy their experience.

INFORMATION ON THE MUSEUMS

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum

Honors the military men and women as well as civilian personnel who trained and worked in Carrabelle and Franklin County during 1942 through 1946. The museum houses numerous displays of military artifacts, photos and memorabilia of many types. Plus the newly constructor Motor Pool building now displays the museum’s military vehicles – WWII DUKW, German Lieferwagen, and WWII Jeep. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located at 1873 Highway 98 West, directly across from Carrabelle Beach where military troops practiced D-Day beach assaults. Saturday hours 11 am – 5 pm.

Carrabelle History Museum

Features local artifacts and exhibits including Carrabelle’s Native American people, the Steamship “Tarpon”, the original “World’s Smallest Police Station”, Carrabelle industry and culture (seafood, lumber and more) and families from the pioneer days to the present. Plus come see the tribute to some of our local military heroes from WW1 thru Vietnam and the high school exhibit full of throw-back nostalgia. Carrabelle History Museum is located at 106 SE Avenue B, Carrabelle, FL. Saturday hours 10 am – 5 pm.

Crooked River Lighthouse

The history and the science of the lighthouse are displayed through interesting exhibits, including a historical setting of the early 1900’s, examples of beacons, the methods of constructing a skeletal tower lighthouse, plus the original 1895 Fresnel lens! Also on display are the original Keeper’s House clock, a barometer, an antique glass fire grenade, and more. Crooked River Lighthouse is located at 1975 Hwy 98 West, Carrabelle. Saturday hours 9 am – 5 pm.

For more information, please visit Smithsonianmag.com/MuseumDay.

Inaugural Camp Gordon Johnston Benefit Golf Tournament Honors Pearl Harbor Day

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and St. James Bay Golf Club hosted an Inaugural Camp Gordon Johnston Benefit Golf Tournament on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This tournament was held on Pearl Harbor Day to honor the brave men and women who responded to our country’s need and served in the armed forces at home and abroad on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at St. James Bay Golf Club in Carrabelle, FL. The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum displayed vehicles and artifacts on site during the tournament. There was be a buffet at the Crooked River Grill in the St. James Bay Clubhouse following the tournament.

All proceeds are earmarked to help fund a new building to house Camp Gordon Johnston’s three historical military vehicles, including the famous WWII DUKW. These historical military vehicles are still operable and because of the lack of space onsite at the museum, currently they must be kept at a separate location.

Sidney A. Winchester Building Dedication at Camp Gordon Johnston Museum

The Camp Gordon Johnston Association and WWII Museum was honored to dedicate our museum building on September 21, 2019  to the late Sidney A. Winchester, a Carrabelle native, U. S. Army veteran and key supporter of Camp Gordon Johnston Museum. We were joined by U.S. Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) who made two very special presentations during the ceremony. Congressman Dunn presented a container of sand from Utah Beach, Normandy, France to the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and then presented an American Flag that had  flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to Sidney Winchester’s wife, Bobbye, who accepted the flag on behalf of the Museum in honor of Sidney’s service both as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and as a charter member and champion of the Camp Gordon Johnston Association. The sand from Utah Beach and the flag will be on display at the Museum.  Also on this day, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum celebrated Smithsonian magazine’s 15th annual Museum Day. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian with free admission.

Click Here to see the Video of the Dedication Ceremony and Congressman Neal Dunn’s special presentations. Thanks to Mayor Brenda La Paz for this video! Click here to learn more about these events.