MacArthur Memorial comprises of four buildings in a beautifully landscaped MacArthur Square in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. The memorial’s theater contains several special exhibits galleries and continuously shows a twenty-four minute film on the life and times of General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. General Douglas MacArthur is perhaps the most controversial and colorful man in American History. The Jean MacArthur Research Center (named after the General’s widow) houses the library, archives, education programs and the administration officers for the MacArthur Memorial and the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation. The gift shop displays General MacArthur’s 1050 Chrysler Imperial limousine which he used from 1950 to the end of this life.

American history knows Douglas MacArthur and his father Arthur MacArthur as men who have made significant impact in their military careers. For starters, both men earned the Medal of Honor during their long and distinguished military careers. But for most people, the knowledge of the MacArthur’s stops with these two men. There are still those who remembered General MacArthur’s roles in the World War II, the occupation of Japan, and the Korean War. But popular history intertwines with housewives’ tales and twists records a little about Douglas MacArthur.

History knows Douglas MacArthur. It also knows his father Arthur MacArthur. Both men earned the Medal of Honor during their long and distinguished military careers. But for most people, knowledge of the MacArthur’s stops with those two men. There are of course those who remember first-hand Gen. MacArthur’s roles in World War II, the occupation of Japan, and the Korean War; they may remember the General’s wife Jean Faircloth and their son, Arthur. But history – popular history – records little about the forbears of the General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, which is why a trip to this impressive memorial is a must for those historical buffs.

The museum is housed in Norfolk’s stately nineteenth century City Hall. A monumental rotunda is the General’s and Mrs. MacArthur’s final resting place where they are surrounded by inscriptions, banners and flags heralding the general’s long and glorious military career. There are nine separate galleries arranged in two levels that circle the final resting place of the General and his widow. It also tells the story of how he and millions of American men and women served the United States Armed Forces from the Civil War through the Korean War.

A visit to the MacArthur Memorial provides a unique glimpse into the 20th century and can renew your faith in those American values of Duty and Honor, which motivated Douglas MacArthur as he served our nation through some of its greatest crises and finest hours.