Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944: A Traveling Exhibit at the National D-Day Memorial
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A limited-time exhibit explores the courage and sacrifice of the troops who landed at Omaha Beach.
Looking for a meaningful day trip from Smith Mountain Lake?
“Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944” will be on display Aug. 13-Dec. 31, 2026, at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.
Created by Tradition Studios in partnership with the WWII Foundation, the traveling multimedia exhibit offers an immersive look at the most fiercely contested of the five D-Day beach invasions.
What You’ll See
Two large, highly detailed dioramas recreate the Colleville and Vierville draws, with more than 300 miniature figures, landing craft, tanks, buildings and German defenses in each scene.
Ambient sound adds to the experience, while a narrated film featuring period footage explains the events leading up to the Allied invasion and the extensive planning behind Operation Overlord.
Visitors will also see life-size mannequins wearing authentic and reproduction uniforms and equipment, along with maps, artwork and interpretive panels covering the invasion timeline, firsthand accounts and the human cost of the battle. QR codes provide access to additional short films narrated by World War II historians.
The exhibit was developed under the direction of Keith Rocco, a Virginia-based painter known for his historical works for the National Park Service. He collaborated with a dozen artists, historians and volunteers to create a presentation that is informative and solemn while remaining approachable for visitors ages 10 and older.
“The exhibit is a first-class presentation that has been traveling the country and put together by some of the most well-known WWII historians of our time,” said April Cheek-Messier, the memorial’s president and CEO. “We are honored to have it in Bedford for the coming months and excited about the learning opportunity it will provide for school students and our visitors.”
Why Bedford
Located just 30-45 minutes from Smith Mountain Lake, the National D-Day Memorial honors all Allied forces who served on D-Day. It was built in Bedford because the town suffered the nation’s highest known per-capita D-Day losses, with 19 local soldiers killed during the invasion.
The traveling exhibit is included with admission to the National D-Day Memorial.
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Want to Go?
What: “Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944” Traveling Exhibit
When: Aug. 13-Dec. 31
Where: National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford
Admission: Adults, $15; veterans, $10; students ages 6-18 and college students with ID, $10; children younger than 6, World War II veterans and active-duty military members are admitted free.
More info: dday.org
