National Medal of Honor Museum Named Best New Museum

Published on January 02, 2026

By National Medal of Honor Museum

The National Medal of Honor Museum has won the USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Museum, capping a historic year for this landmark project. Nominations were selected by an expert panel, representing the best new or newly transformed museums across the country over the past two years. Members of the public then voted for the winner.

“This incredible honor is a testament to the work and generosity of so many people whose dedication has created a home for the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients. Thank you to the panelists and the public – especially our supporters in North Texas and nationwide – for recognizing this special place as the Best New Museum in America. Arlington has so much to offer and we are thrilled to add the Best New Museum to that list,” said Charlotte Jones, Chairman of the NMOHMF Board of Directors and Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner of the Dallas Cowboys. “In our first year, the National Medal of Honor Museum has had a tremendous impact in both preserving the legacies of Recipients and imparting the Medal’s values onto the next generation. Since we cut the ribbon back in March, tens of thousands of visitors have walked through our doors and left inspired by what they’ve seen. In 2026, we look forward to welcoming more people to experience the Best New Museum right here in Texas and providing more engaging programming about the Medal, its Recipients, and how to apply its values in our own lives.”

The rest of the top ten includes: Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, National Public Housing Museum, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Museum of Art + Light, Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, The Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium, Door County Granary, The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, Museum of BBQ.

Previous winners include The Columbus Museum, the Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum, the Cook Museum of Natural Science, and the National Comedy Center.

The National Medal of Honor Museum offers an unforgettable journey through the stories of ordinary people who did something extraordinary in service to others. The elevated exhibit deck, held aloft by five concrete mega-columns representing branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, features 31,000 square feet of immersive exhibits, powerful multimedia experiences, and never-before-seen artifacts, chronicling the lives and legacies of those who have received our country's highest award for valor in combat. A visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum is a meaningful experience that will leave visitors of all ages inspired, proud, and deeply connected to the values that unite us.

For more details and to reserve tickets, visit mohmuseum.org.