The Americans in Wartime Experience (AWE) is a national educational initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the personal stories of Americans who served during periods of conflict—from World War I to the present. More than a museum, AWE is envisioned as a dynamic, large-scale, indoor-outdoor experience that honors veterans, highlights the sacrifices of military families, and educates future generations through immersive storytelling, live demonstrations, and innovative programming. Its mission is centered on three guiding principles: Educate. Honor. Inspire.

The concept for a permanent museum began in the mid-1990s with a dedicated group of Vietnam veterans in Manassas, Virginia. Their passion eventually caught the attention of local leadership, including the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, and grew into a broader vision under the leadership of Founding Chairman Allan D. Cors. By 2003, the Museum’s Board expanded the mission to create a national institution capable of telling the full story of American wartime experience—on the front lines, in the intelligence community, on factory floors, and on the home front.

To realize this ambitious vision, AWE engaged architect John Jessen and museum planners Gallagher & Associates to help conceptualize the permanent museum campus and its extensive outdoor environments. Working closely with Chairman Allan Cors, Jessen developed architectural concepts, site master plans, and programmatic layouts for a uniquely large and experiential museum—one designed to host live battle reenactments, operational military vehicles, educational programming, and large public events across a 70-acre site.

Jessen’s contributions included:

• Early architectural visioning for the core museum buildings and visitor center
• Site planning and layout concepts for the “Landscapes of War,” large-scale outdoor environments intended for reenactments and immersive learning
• Integration of more than 100+ operational military vehicles into exhibition, restoration, and public demonstration areas
• Illustrative materials and conceptual graphics used to communicate the museum’s vision to stakeholders, donors, the county, and veteran communities
• Collaboration with Allan Cors and the Board to help position the museum for capital fundraising and long-term development

In 2010, the AWE project achieved a major milestone when the Hylton family donated a spectacular 70-acre site near I-95—strategically located close to the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Potomac Mills regional destination. With land secured, the organization launched its foundational fundraising efforts to advance the vision.

Through his architectural insight and conceptual leadership, John Jessen played a key role in helping Allan D. Cors and the Americans in Wartime Experience articulate their vision for a permanent national museum—one capable of honoring veterans, inspiring visitors, and preserving the profound impact of wartime experiences on American society.

Project location: Virginia

Project size: TBD

Work previously completed by John Jessen as Principal Architect & Architect-of-Record with VOA Associates (now Stantec).