2018 Smithsonian Day
All three Carrabelle Museums join Smithsonian magazine’s 14th Annual Museum Day
Free Admission on September 22, 2018
Back by popular demand all three of Carrabelle’s wonderful museums will open their doors free of charge on Saturday September 22, 2018 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 14th annual Museum Day. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian with free admission. In salute to this day, Carrabelle History Museum, Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, and Crooked River Lighthouse Museum will also have extended hours from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and special activities and exhibits including WWII military vehicles, a newly expanded Native Peoples exhibit and 103 foot tower climbs.
Museum Day represents a nationwide commitment to access, equity and inclusion. Over 250,000 people participated in last year’s event, and Museum Day 2018 is expected to attract more museum goers than ever before. Smithsonian recognizes the extraordinary power of museums to provide visitors with insight and inspiration.
INFORMATION ON EXHIBITS
A new location and a new museum facility highlight this year’s Museum Day. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is now located at Carrabelle Beach, where military troops practiced beach assaults for D-Day and other campaigns. In conjunction with Smithsonian Day, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum will also be holding a ribbon cutting at 10:00 am in celebration of the new museum building. The museum will also be showing an exciting short film of the actual 1943 beach assault training that has only recently be discovered. WWII and antique military vehicles will be on display and military veterans will be on hand.
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 4,000 sq ft Camp Gordon Johnston Museum houses numerous displays of military artifacts, photos and memorabilia of many types. Camp Gordon Johnston Museum’s new facility is across from Carrabelle Beach Park at 1873 Highway 98 West, Carrabelle, FL.
Be sure to also visit the other two Carrabelle museums also participating in Smithsonian Day – Crooked River Lighthouse located just a ½ mile to our west and Carrabelle History Museum located in downtown Carrabelle at 106 Avenue B SE.
For more information about Museum Day, please contact Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funding provided in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Days
Click here to see news coverage from WTXL Channel 27 of last year’s (2018) Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Days event.
The Camp Gordon Johnston Association and WWII Museum celebrates the 23rd Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Days on March 9 – 10, 2018 in Carrabelle, FL. A weekend of meaningful events is planned especially to honor our country’s remaining WWII veterans as well as recognize and salute all veterans from WWII to present. All veterans, their family and friends as well as the general public are invited to Carrabelle for the celebrations.
On Friday, March 9, 2018 from 12 to 4 pm, Camp Gordon Johnston will be hosting the Veterans’ Welcome at Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle. All WWII to present day veterans are invited to be greeted at the museum and meet other veterans and visitors. Interviews may be taped for those with stories connected to CGJ Veterans’ Training and War time experiences.
Continuing on Friday at 6 pm, the Camp Gordon Johnston American Legion Post 82 located in Lanark Village warmly invites all WWII veterans, WWII widows/widowers, non-WWII veterans (with proof of service), active duty military, and members of Post 82 to a Low Country Boil in their honor. Each veteran or member is welcome to bring one guest. This event is not open to the general public. For more information, call 850-697-9998.
On Saturday, March 10, 2018, kicking off at 10:45 am, the Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Days Parade, which pays tribute to all veterans of all branches of service, will begin at NW 10th street on US 98 in Carrabelle. Line-up will be Ave B facing West. The parade will head east for 10 blocks along US 98 to Tallahassee St. This year’s community parade should include CGJ Museum vehicles (WWII DUKW, Willis Jeep, and German Lieferwagan), more recent military vehicles, JROTC units, color guards, veteran organizations and auxiliary units, and of course, many civic and community floats, decorated golf carts, gorgeous antique cars, and beauty queens of all ages. In addition, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association – First Florida Chapter will be bringing their amazing restored vintage military vehicles to carry veterans in the parade.
The parade is open to all groups, military or civilian, who want to participate in the true spirit of American freedom. Military related groups, community organizations, school groups, and individuals are all encouraged to help honor all veterans, past and present, by participating in the parade. For details, see 2018 Parade Invitation. To register as a participant in the parade, submit the form by March 7: 2018 Parade Registration. Those arriving late or without pre-registering are still welcome to join the parade at the rear of the lineup.
Immediately following the parade, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s First Florida Chapter will have their restored vintage military vehicles on display. Everyone is invited to see these vehicles up close and personal in downtown Carrabelle. The location will be on the grounds across the street from Fathom’s Restaurant near the 200 block of St. James Avenue, Carrabelle.
The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum will be open to all visitors during this event on Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. Guests are encouraged to come and hear the amazing stories of the region’s WWII heroes and see the remarkable collection of WWII artifacts and memorabilia while still on display throughout this 7,000 square foot museum. Come see the museum one last time before we move to our new facility.
The Camp Gordon Johnston Association will also be welcoming guests on Saturday for sneak peak visits at its new museum location which is scheduled to officially open very soon. The new facility is located at 1873 Hwy 98 West, across from Carrabelle Beach and will be open for “work-in-progress” visits on Saturday, 10 am–4 pm.
Saturday evening the Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion festivities culminate with a very special event – the Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Dinner Dance – at 6 pm at the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle. Have dinner with actual WWII heroes as well as veterans from more recent times! These men and women have served their country faithfully and honorably, willing to give the “last full measure”. It is a privilege and a delight to thank and honor them at this special event. The cost is just $10 for advance tickets or $15 at the door and includes a retro 1940’s “homefront” meal and entertainment. BYOB. Advance ticket purchase is recommended due to limited seating and can be purchased at the Senior Center, 201 NW Ave F, Carrabelle. Doors open at 6pm. Dinner will be served at 7pm. For more information, call 850-697-3760.
For information or assistance, please call (850) 697-8575.
Carrabelle is 100 miles east of Panama City on Hwy 98, and about 60 miles south of Tallahassee.
