Dumfries, VA – The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation today launched the National Museum of the Marine Corps Virtual Experience, allowing Marines and civilians from across the world to experience a cutting-edge web version of the real National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) located in Quantico, Virginia. With in-depth, special educational features on exhibits, galleries and artifacts as well as Museum docents sharing their stories of Marine Corps history, the Virtual Experience brings the NMMC straight into homes and classrooms. Through a series of high-definition, 360 degree panoramic tours, audio narratives and extensive multi-media presentations, visitors to the website will experience the NMMC as if they’re actually there. Virtual Experience special features include:

- Oral history recordings
- Walking tour narratives available at the Museum
- Video interviews and personal recollections by Museum docents 
- Zoomable HD photos of special exhibits
- Custom video presentations created exclusively for the Museum
- Interactive 3-D models of aircraft and other large scale artifacts

"In today's economy and with Marines deployed around the world, Marines don’t always have the opportunity to visit their National Museum," said LtGen Ron Christmas, president & CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. "The Virtual Experience provides all Americans and Marines everywhere, no matter where they live, the opportunity to be connected to the NMMC and witness their history on display."

Unable to visit the NMMC in person, Marine Steven Wallace of Beverly Hills, California conceived the idea to create a digital version of the museum. Through funding provided by Mr. Wallace to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, the Virtual Experience was created by the Virginia-based eBusiness and technology consulting firm Dynology Corporation, allowing Marines, seniors and others who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to experience the unique perspective of U.S. history on display at the NMMC.

"I am very proud and extremely pleased to have been associated with the development of the Virtual Experience of the National Museum of the Marine Corps," said Steven Wallace, a Founder of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. "This experience tells the story of our Marine Corps and how important they are to the safety and security of the United States. It is truly a history of the United States through the eyes of the Marine Corps. I hope online visitors to the Museum will enjoy the experience. Semper Fi."

A free educational tool for students and American history enthusiasts, the Virtual Experience provides an up-close look at exhibits and artifacts on display and explains their significance in Marine Corps and U.S. history. The Virtual Experience offers visitors an in-depth tutorial on artifacts, providing more information than is possible to display at the NMMC and revolutionizing what national museums can offer visitors within their homes or classrooms.

Take a tour of the NMMC Virtual Experience by visiting www.VirtualUSMCMuseum.com.

Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Marine Corps history, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds, providing grants and scholarships for research and the renovation, restoration and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. Securing the necessary funding for the complete construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center is the Foundation’s current primary mission while continuing to provide program support for the Corps’ historical, museum, and educational activities.

For more information or to request interviews, contact Sara Neumann at 202-414-0788 or sneumann@susandavis.com.