If you’re looking for local, free museums beyond those offered by the Smithsonian Institution, you’re in luck. These five diverse Northern Virginia spots offer a plethora of informational and educational material, without an entrance fee.
DEA Museum
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Featuring more than 5,000 objects, 40,000 photographs, and an online video archive, this museum highlights the history of U.S. drug enforcement. It includes more than 40 hands-on activity stations and a multipurpose education room. Plus, a Wall of Honor pays tribute to DEA agents who died in the line of duty. 700 Army Navy Dr., Arlington
Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Center
Guided home tours (limited to seven people) are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 1 p.m. The Interpretive Center is open on Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Built around 1859 by Albert and Mary Willcoxon, Historic Blenheim was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The brick farmhouse was used by Union soldiers during the Civil War as a part of a reserve hospital system. The soldiers left more than 115 inscriptions on the walls of the home that serve as a type of historical dairy. The adjacent Civil War Interpretive Center includes artifacts that soldiers would have used, soldier biographies, and information about the family and enslaved residents. It also features a replica of the Blenheim attic, complete with life-sized images of the inscriptions left by the soldiers. You can also walk the 12-acre grounds and visit the gift shop. Plus, see a log-wall construction cottage built around 1840 and the Willcoxon Family Cemetery. 3610 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax
Marine Raider Museum
Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, but you must call 703-432-6465 to arrange your visit.
Located at the Quantico Marine Base, this museum is dedicated to the World War II Marine Raiders, the hard-hitting assault units that carried out surprise strikes. You’ll see the first Japanese flag captured during the war, brought home by Lt. Col. Evans F. Carlson’s Raiders from the Makin Island Raid of 1942. The museum features photos of the Raiders in training, in camp, and in combat, as well as firearms, tools, equipment, and uniforms. 24191 Gilbert Rd., Quantico
Military Women’s Memorial
Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
This memorial is situated at the western end of Memorial Avenue at the entrance to the Arlington National Cemetery. The Military Women’s Memorial states that, “As the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations.” The most recent exhibit, A Sea Change: Women on Combatant Ships showcases the hard-fought path of Navy women to serve aboard combatant ships. Memorial Avenue and Schley Drive, Arlington
National Firearms Musuem
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Located at NRA’s Fairfax headquarters, this 15,000-square-foot museum features 3,000 firearms displayed in 15 galleries. The displays are organized chronologically and include guns used for competition shooting, hunting, personal defense, recreational shooting, and police work. The Robert E. Petersen Gallery features British double rifles and shotguns, and is the largest collection of Gatling guns on public display. The museum also includes a Hollywood Guns exhibit with 120 firearms used in movies and TV shows over the past 80 years. They including guns used by John Wayne and in the films No Country for Old Men and Lethal Weapon. 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fair Oaks
Feature image of Military Women’s Memorial by Karen Saunders
