Planned 9/11 education center near the Pentagon gets a boost from the state budget

July 1, 2026 - 00:45

The planned 9/11 education center near the Pentagon is finally getting a significant financial push from Virginia's new state budget. The Pentagon Memorial Fund announced that the two-year spending plan, which was approved by the General Assembly on Monday and is scheduled to take effect on July 1, includes dedicated funding for the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center.

A budget amendment secured by state lawmakers will provide millions of dollars to help move the project forward. The education center has been in the planning stages for years, with advocates arguing that it is essential to tell the story of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and to preserve the history for future generations.

Currently, the outdoor Pentagon Memorial is open to the public, but there is no indoor space for exhibits, educational programs, or to house artifacts. The new center is designed to fill that gap, offering a place where visitors can learn about the events of that day and the ongoing impact on national security and the military community. Officials said the state funding is a critical step toward breaking ground on the project, which has faced fundraising challenges. The memorial fund will continue to seek private donations to cover the remaining construction costs.