Sightseeing Trips to Fredericksburg, Texas ~ Admiral Nimitz Museum ~ Peace Garden

Fredericksburg, Texas

No visit to Fredericksburg would be complete without taking the time to tour the Nimitz Museum and the National Museum of the Pacific War. If planning a sightseeing trip to this area of the Lone Star State to see some Texas sites, plan some time into your scheduling to appreciate this particular historic site.

In April of 2001, my husband and I spent about a half day seeing this impressive museum with the indoor and outdoor exhibits.

When one purchases a ticket one is free to enter, exit and re-enter the museum which is precisely what we did. We spent several hours and then took a break for lunch and went back for more viewing and learning about this part of our country's history with regard to war in the Pacific.

There is so much to look at including airplanes, tanks, artillery, photos, clothing, diaries, and other artifacts.

There is even a Japanese midget submarine housed there that was captured at Pearl Harbor!

Nimitz Hotel becomes Nimitz Museum

This imposing structure in the heart of Fredericksburg that was built to resemble the bow of a ship was originally a hotel built in 1852 by the grandfather of Chester W. Nimitz who just happened to be a merchant marine in Germany. For years up until 1926 it was a thriving business and important dignitaries as well as other people stayed and were entertained there.

An only child, Chester W. Nimitz was early on influenced by his grandfather as his father died before he was born.

Whether or not this lead to his naval career, the facts are that after graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Chester W. Nimitz began his career ultimately ascending to the rank of Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War 2.

The Nimitz Hotel and Stagecoach Stop became the Admiral Nimitz Museum and honors this celebrated Fleet Admiral's career housing hundreds of actual photos and about 900 artifacts.

It definitely takes some time to get a sense of all that is there and what the cost of freedom sometimes entails.

World War 2 airplanes

The picture above shows an example of what was known as Nose Art. Most of the World War 2 airplanes were painted with everything from cartoons to pin-up girls to names or other scenes depicting patriotism and/or other attitudes such as hatred of the enemy.

The artistry varied with the talents of the painters of these early aircraft and many of these pieces of nose art can be viewed in this Nimitz Museum.

Nimitz Museum

In the year 2000 the complex was renamed the National Museum of the Pacific War.

When walking outside of the museum there is also much to see.

There is the Plaza of the Presidents dedicated in September, 1995 with monuments honoring the World War 2 service of the ten men who at some point became not only a military serviceman, but President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief. These monuments are spaced around a courtyard with an American flag flying high in the center.

These men include the following: Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry S. Truman; Dwight D. Eisenhower; John F. Kennedy; Lyndon B. Johnson; Richard Nixon; Gerald Ford; Jimmy Carter; Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Memorial Wall

Not only are Presidents of the United States honored at this National Museum of the Pacific War (Nimitz Museum) but hundreds of plaques honoring people who served in our armed forces are located on an outside wall.  They can be sponsored by families or even associations and some even bear images.

The Memorial Wall was dedicated on December 7th, 1977 and  a dedication plaque bears Admiral Nimitz' words on the very day he signed the surrender document from the Japanese.  It says the following:  "They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now they sleep side by side.  To them we have a solemn obligation - the obligation to insure that their sacrifice will help make this a better and safer world in which to live."

Japanese Garden of Peace

On May 8, 1976 the Japanese government made a gift of The Garden of Peace and had it situated at the Nimitz Museum.

An inscription says the following:

"The Garden of Peace is a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan with prayers for everlasting world peace through the goodwill of our two nations, symbolized by the friendship and respect that existed between Admiral Togo and Admiral Nimitz."

Written in English and also with Japanese symbols, this beautiful garden provides a place for quiet reflection with its sand and stone garden as well as lush water features.

George H. W. Bush Gallery

In 1991 a new gallery opened up showcasing even more artifacts from the War in the Pacific bearing this President's name. It was once again expanded in 2009 and George and Barbara Bush were present along with some Pearl Harbor survivors who were in attendance.

This extensive National Museum of the Pacific War now provides enactments of fighting and has gone well beyond simply memoralizing Admiral Nimitz's life and naval career to include much of what occurred during the times when fighting the Pacific war during World War 2.

It is an educational experience and sobering at the same time. War is never pretty!

Texas destinations

If you are a history buff or merely wish to learn more about this important time when War in the Pacific was being waged, be sure and include sightseeing trips to Fredericksburg, Texas to visit the Nimitz Museum now called the National Museum of the Pacific War. My husband and I felt awed and somewhat overwhelmed with emotions after seeing all there is at this great repository of World War 2 history. It is a Texas destination that you will not soon forget and one of the Texas sites well worth visiting!