The National WWII Museum: Road to Tokyo Pacific Theater Galleries
Following the success of Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries, Solomon Group was once again engaged by the National WWII Museum to bring its vision to life — this time for the Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries. Located on the second floor of the Campaigns of Courage Pavilion, the 10,300-square-foot exhibition retraces the brutal trail of the American-led Allied forces from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay.
Immersive Storytelling Through Craft
Working in partnership with Gallagher & Associates and 1220 Exhibits, Solomon Group fabricated 10 distinct galleries designed to transport visitors into the Pacific Theater. From the bridge of an aircraft carrier to the palm jungles of Guadalcanal, authenticity was central to the project. Our fabrication and graphics teams prioritized real materials and highly detailed finishes to ensure each environment looked, felt, and even smelled like the spaces they represented.
A highlight was the creation of a large-scale topographical map for the China-Burma-India gallery. The piece required extensive research, custom CAD modeling, and precision CNC machining to stitch together more than 1,000 graphic tiles. After 16 hours of routing, multiple layers of resin, and detailed painting, the map became a centerpiece for storytelling within the exhibit.
Technical Integration
As with Road to Berlin, Solomon Group delivered the project’s A/V systems integration and exhibit lighting, managing complex structural, IT, and programming challenges. Road to Tokyo features:
- 14 digital projectors
- 13 interactive touchscreen displays
- Five 80-inch LED monitors
- Nearly 300 theatrical lighting fixtures
Working in a second-floor gallery presented unique logistical challenges. With no freight elevator available, our team engineered an opening in the building’s exterior wall to hoist large scenic elements into place. Inside, ceilings soaring nearly 38 feet required creative rigging and system integration solutions, all while working above an active exhibit floor with strict noise and safety limitations.
Lasting Impact
When Road to Tokyo opened in 2015, it marked another milestone in Solomon Group’s long-term partnership with the National WWII Museum. Together, we expanded the Campaigns of Courage Pavilion into a two-story journey through both European and Pacific theaters — offering visitors a deeply immersive, historically grounded experience that continues to educate and inspire.
