National Coast Guard Museum

The United States Coast Guard is the only branch of the armed forces that does not have a national museum. While the Coast Guard had contemplated a museum since 1999 and completed several initial planning efforts, the project had yet to meaningfully commence. In 2019, the Coast Guard hired its first executive director for the proposed museum. The director initiated a broad review of planning done by both the Coast Guard and their non-profit partner to determine the best way to make the museum a reality.

Museum Insights provided the initial review of prior planning, which included multiple planning exercises completed between 2008-2017. Museum Insights synthesized several thousand pages of planning documents to develop a concise history of planning for the museum. Based on this history, we made recommendations to the Coast Guard that reflected a shift in focus for the museum from science to history. After completing that work, Museum Insights was given a five year contract to provide program, operational, and facility planning services for the museum project.

Museum Insights has since supported the developing Coast Guard museum team in a wide range of ways. Support includes design review of both architectural and exhibit plans; developing foundational policies for collections and operations; writing a business plan; offering insights into museum best practices; assisting with the development of Congressionally mandated reports; and developing education and outreach programs.