I won't repeat what many others have written. The museum is a unique experience that was time well spent while visiting Beaufort . We have no military ties but still found the history and exhibits engaging and fascinating read more

Great museum celebrating the marine corps. Gate guards were great to talk to my kid is definitely interested in joining. read more

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This is an on-base museum, and one has to provide license and registration to MP's at the gate. The first time I tried, the base was closed to anyone who wasn't active duty military, which I don't think is an uncommon situation given what I read elsewhere. This is an area where you want to have an alternative destination in mind if it doesn't work out. Comes with the territory. Once admitted, you're on the training grounds for recruits into the Marine Corps. As someone who just visited the massive new USMC museum near DC, being here is just a different experience. The sea island environment is rugged, biting insects are numerous, and even in the shade, the heat is sweltering. The museum is an older-looking, utilitarian building, but the exhibits are extensive and I spent around two hours and certainly did not read every detail. The training program itself is extensively described, and I don't think I would last very long. But given the lack of discipline in the civilian world, the nature of training here illuminates the differences and is educational even for someone who is not a Marine. I was also surprised with the level of detail in which the history of the island was covered. There was quite a lot about colonial history, and you'll learn about Native Americans, the Gullah people who were left behind here after the Civil War, and the introduction of women into the service. I also found it notable that the museum wasn't quite as jingoistic as some of the other military sites I've been to. You can see exhibits on the Fall of Saigon or John Brown that aren't exactly America's finest moments. Don't get me wrong, the museum still certainly has a perspective, and you couldn't leave without getting a very clear impression of what the values of the Marines are. A visitor center within walking distance was closed, but once inside the base, the other area that I found tourist-friendly was a historic area near the golf course which talks about Spanish and French colonial history and gives you a nice view of the natural environment. I come from an Army-Navy family myself and I don't have any strong ties to the subject, but one can't help but walk out with an appreciation of the relevance of our Marine Corps to the way the rest of us are able to live our lives. read more

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As I spent week at Paris Island on at an educators conference, we were brought to the Paris Island museum.Alton Khon, a Vietnam war veteran that was lost in the trenches for 58 days with his platoon greeted us with a warm welcome he and only one other marine survived to tell the story when they were rescued. He now serves as a living history in the museum, he's an ambassador for the museum for all those who enter. The Marines took over repairs island in 1915. The history that embodies me this museum is from 1915 to present. read more

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Not a huge museum, but they do not waste any space. Theres a lot of history packed inside. It was cool to get to learn about the start and history of the corp. It was also nice to get guided through by my newly graduated marine. Not sure if this location is open to the public, but it's a great place to check out on family day and after graduation. read more

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Be prepared to enter the base, especially if you are civilians. We do not have military ID, but were prepared to provide our driver licenses and vehicle registration, as were others a head and behind us. Understandably in today's world, they must be careful about who is allowed on base. My husband is a non marine veteran, but doesn't have a military ID card and doesn't carry his DD214. We were politely asked to pull over to the side, as were others. The vehicle was inspected, including our coolers (we were traveling and it was too early to check in to our hotel). All those interacting with us at this time were quite polite while they did what they were supposed to do. We also after having a bit of a hard time finding the museum, that it is not 111 Panama St., which is what I got from the information. Initially we seemed like only two of a few people in the building. However after awhile, we were joined by probably 100 or more recruits. One can overdose on military history, if you or a family member isn't personally involved. However, the museum is set up chronologically so it's easy to go to specific sections of interest, such as the Korean War, Vietnam, etc. I particularly enjoyed the section about how and why Parris Island was established as a training camp for the Marines, and how the island was developed. In addition, what made the exhibit 5 vs 4 star for me, was the film providing and overview of the 3 phases of recruit training at the end of the exhibit on that topic. It was while we were watching that amazing visual summation, that recruits began coming in. There is indeed imperfection in our democracy, but it was inspiring to see these mostly young recruits who have volunteered for arduous training to become among America's best troops. read more

Can down to see the museum. Last time I was at Parris Island I was graduating boot camp some 29 years ago. Very easy to get on the base to see the museum. Just need a drivers license, registration and insurance for your vehicle. read more

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Parris Island. The United States Marine Corp. They both ooze history. So why not make a museum to honor them both? Makes perfect sense. The museum is broken into separate eras beginning with the birth of the Corps. It's a pretty typical museum setup with actual uniforms and weapons on display behind glass with lots of reading about events of the time. Lots of reading. There are two floors worth of Marine Corps history on display. One wing of the building covers the history of the island. There's 500 years of history under the tall grass and marsh land. On display are finds from excavations done on the island over the years. Honestly, it's a nice break from the military overload you'll experience in the rest of the museum. The other wing explains what Marine recruits experience on the island. It's a small section but it wraps up the display nicely. This museum is one of the things you have to do when visiting here. And you'll appreciate the air conditioning, I can assure you. read more

In the heart of Parris Island Marine base is this museum, which offers a complete history of the area and the marine corp. Admission is free and visitors that wish to visit the museum need to let the guards at the gate to know (including showing ID). Some of the exhibits include uniforms throughout the marine corp history, all battles and wars that involved the marines and information about each and every one, archaeological items from the original Spanish and French colonies on the island, and various medals, statues, and models. This is probably one of the best kept secrets in the Beaufort area because its on the marine base, but it's easy to get too and free. Worth checking out. read more

Parris Island Museum - M1A1 Pack Howitzer, 75mm; one of several guns and displays to see at the Parris Island Museum. - Museums Near Me - Beaufort, South Carolina

This local museum is located on the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. You will need to check in with the base security to get on site so make sure you have your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance or military ID. The museum is full of information about the earliest inability to recruit training starting on the island in 1915. The staff is always happy to help and full of information. read more

A great stop by when driving between Charleston and Savannah. The museum is about recruit training, local history regarding the revolutionary war, and lots of military history. A great way to spend about an hour. read more

This museum is on the Parris Island Marine Training Base and not open to civilians. We went, but were turned away at the gate.

I absolutely loved this museum. My wife didn't think she would enjoy but she did. I am not a vet but it was still worth going to, well worth going to. In fact we are planning another trip given how much there was to see. read more

I was station at MCRDPI from 1995 to 1999 and now I am here again over 20 years later. First visit to the museum in my 25+ year career of active duty service. I did find my visit historically interesting and learned a lot which I never knew. Despite all, I was very disappointed that little to nothing was depicted about the Montfort Point Marines and when they started training at Parris Island, once the Corps ended it's segregation policies. People travel from all over to visit PI for graduations and it's a shame that our history is basically "white washed" without any acknowledgement. It matters because they definitely have displays for women joining the Corps. I believe it should be one and the same. To my knowledge after asking, there are no plans to change anything about it. I would love for someone to explain to me why this is acceptable! You can't pretend our colorful history (being good and bad) never existed. This is why my rating will not go past 2 Stars. read more

Semper Fi, do or die So gung ho, to go and pay the price Heres to Leathernecks, Devildogs, and Jarheads Parris Island in July, Semper Fi Trace Adkins - Semper Fi The Parris Island Museum is in the Marine Base and probably one of the few "must do" items if you're here for Family Day other than lunch somewhere on base. Not REALLY mandatory of course but if you made the trek all the way here you might as well see it. First floor shows different things marine recruits go through during training - the yellow footprints, a printout of the script of the 10 second phone call, and you can try lifting a hump a recruit has to carry to see how heavy it actually is. There's also a gift shop with t-shirts and all sorts of marines related souvenir items. Other side of the first floor has some exhibits on the history of the Parris Island area. Upstairs has exhibits of the marine uniform and weaponry during different periods in history so you can see how things have evolved over time. They even have popular music from each time period playing at each exhibit. It's on the base so if you're wanting to visit the museum be sure to have a valid U.S. government-issued photo identification card, a copy of your vehicle registration, and proof of auto insurance in order to be allowed on base - they also sometimes do random checks so don't bring any weapons or drugs - prescription drugs need to be in one of those Monday through Sunday pillboxes if I recall correctly. There's lots of parking right next to the museum but on family day it can fill up fast. read more

This Museum is a must visit if you are visiting the low country. Very easy to get to from Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Savannah and Charleston. You will need to have a Drivers License, Vehicle Registration and proof of insurance to show the Military Police/Marine Corps Police at the front gate of Parris Island. Everyone you will encounter is very professional and courteous. When at the gate you will be given directions. Having graduated from Parris Island in June of 1995. It was a very powerful experience for me to return. I was so impressed by the Museum that I felt it meets the same standards of what you might experience when visiting the Smithsonian up in Washington DC. The attention to detail is incredible on all the displays within the Museum. Not only will you learn about the History of Parris Island, but you will gain a wealth of knowledge on the surrounding areas. This Museum rates five stars and more. You will also get to experience Parris Island when visiting this amazing museum. Lots of great photo opportunities. I spent a whole day on Parris Island. As stated in the above it was such a powerful, spiritual experience for me returning. A must visit if you are visiting Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Savannah and Charleston. Also I must add it is very easy to get to from I95. read more

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We went at 3:30, museum closed at 4:30 and guard would not let us on base "that close to closing". The museum was not going to take more than a half hour I'm sure. So it seems everything is at the discretion of the mood of the gate attendant. read more

This is a gem of a museum if you are at all interested in military history. Will keep you occupied for half an hour or so. Interesting for the kids, too, as they have some nice dioramas. read more