NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The National WWII Museum closes its iconic “D-Day Invasion of Normandy” exhibit later this month. Museum officials announced the move on Feb. 18. The renovation targets a full modernization of the visitor experience. Completion is set for 2027, marking the 83rd anniversary of the Allied landings on June 6, 1944.

Feb. 24 marks the final day for public access to the current installation. Construction starts the next day. The project will run about a year. President and CEO Stephen J. Watson called the exhibit a cornerstone of the museum’s offerings. “It has brought June 6, 1944, to life for millions,” he said. The update preserves its historical weight while refreshing the presentation for new generations.

Opened over 25 years ago, the gallery spans 8,000 square feet. It stands as the museum’s sole permanent space focused on one battle. Visitors explore Allied planning, combat hardships and soldier testimonies there. The revamp expands it to four galleries. Expect immersive setups, fresh multimedia, hands-on interactives and artifacts gathered since the 1990s. Oral histories from participants remain front and center.

Erin Clancey, associate vice president of collections and exhibits, stressed the human element. “We’re strengthening the D-Day story with our full artifact collection and firsthand accounts,” she said. That approach forges stronger links between audiences and invasion veterans.

Gallagher & Associates handles the design. The firm specializes in engaging museum spaces. This effort folds into the “Victory’s Promise” campaign, a $300 million push launched in 2025. Funds go toward campus upgrades, education programs and WWII material preservation.

Congress named the New Orleans site America’s official WWII museum. It draws crowds from the U.S. and overseas. Local leaders view it as a tourism engine. Officials say the changes position it against advanced exhibits elsewhere. All while safeguarding the WWII era’s legacy.

The closure affects one of the museum’s most popular draws. Staff anticipate minimal disruption to other areas. Temporary programming may fill the gap. Watson emphasized D-Day’s enduring role in the institution’s mission. From its roots as the National D-Day Museum, the story has defined the place.

Renovation details emerged amid steady visitor traffic. The museum logged millions of attendees since the exhibit’s debut. Clancey noted recent acquisitions will enrich the narrative. Items include gear from troops and rare documents. Multimedia upgrades promise sharper visuals of the Normandy beaches and beyond.

New Orleans tourism officials welcomed the investment. They cited the museum’s pull on conventions and family trips. The $300 million campaign has secured major pledges already. Backers span foundations, veterans’ groups and private donors.

Watson tied the project to broader goals. Preserving oral histories grows urgent as witnesses fade. The museum holds thousands of such recordings. Renovators plan tech to keep them vivid. Interactive maps will trace the invasion’s chaos across five beaches.