Arlington, TX — Today, the National Medal of Honor Museum was named to the exclusive World’s Most Beautiful Museums List 2026 by the Prix Versailles. The global architecture and design award program recognized it among just seven institutions worldwide — and the only choice in the Western Hemisphere — for excellence in both design and cultural impact. 

The recognition comes as Prix Versailles launches its 12th edition, with this year’s list characterized by what organizers describe as a powerful fusion of architectural design and storytelling. Selected museums were recognized not only for their aesthetic allure, but for how their design creates compelling experiences. 

“The World’s Most Beautiful Museums List for 2026 stands out for the quality of its architectural interpretations and staging, elevating the sites with extraordinary narrative power,” said Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles. “Together, these museums provide a real illustration of how strength and talent can be revealed through harmony, sensitivity and sharing. Beyond welcoming their visitors, we hope these places will be sources of inspiration for all those who serve the common good of humanity.” 

“Being recognized on such a distinguished list reflects the intent behind every decision we made to center the visitor experience around Medal of Honor values, from the location and architecture to the flow of our interactive exhibits,” said Cory Crowley, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Executive Vice President. “We set out to create a place that both pays tribute to Medal of Honor Recipients and connects their stories to the values that continue to guide us as Americans. We are grateful to the Prix Versailles for appreciating that what makes this Museum truly beautiful is not just the soaring columns or stunning façade but the legacies it preserves.” 

At the National Medal of Honor Museum, the design is inseparable from the mission: to inspire generations of Americans through stories of ordinary individuals who did extraordinary things in service to others. As described by the Prix Versailles, “The steel-clad Exhibition Hall is a monumental space that reflects the strength of character that is forged in combat. That structure is suspended 12 metres in the air above a landscaped ‘Field of Honor’, a central, open-air courtyard that serves as both threshold and gathering space. From there, sculptural spiral staircases and fully glazed lifts take visitors to immersive galleries, creating a powerful narrative journey through the lives and legacies of medal recipients. Supported by five megacolumns, each representing a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the museum is bathed in natural light thanks to an oculus at its centre, symbolising the U.S. Space Force.” 

Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the Museum stands as both a civic landmark and a place for reflection, inviting visitors to consider the values that have defined our nation over the past 250 years. 

“It is a tremendous honor for the National Medal of Honor Museum to be recognized on the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Museums List for 2026,” said Bassam Komati, AIA, Partner at Rafael Viñoly Architects. “We are especially moved by the award’s celebration of architecture’s narrative power and its ability to reveal strength through harmony, sensitivity, and shared purpose—values deeply aligned with this project. Shaped through close collaboration with our client and an exceptional multidisciplinary team, the Museum gives form to a shared vision for a civic place of reflection and inspiration, honoring those who serve the common good while affirming architecture’s capacity to embody our highest ideals.” 

“Building the National Medal of Honor Museum was unlike any project we've undertaken in Linbeck's nearly nine-decade history," said Tommy Cole, President of Linbeck Group. “From the first foundation to the final finishes, every member of our team understood that we were doing more than just constructing a building; we were providing a home where the stories of the courage and sacrifice of America's most cherished heroes will live on for generations. To see that work recognized by Prix Versailles is a profound honor, and a testament to the extraordinary collaboration between the Museum, Rafael Viñoly Architects, and every craftsman who brought this vision to life.” 

Visitors to the National Medal of Honor Museum can learn more about the symbolism of the building on a new guided architectural tour, which examines the design and construction of the Museum as part of the American story — exploring how the building functions as a modern civic monument, why it was built in the heartland, and how architecture can express national values like service, sacrifice, and collective memory. 

Others named to the World’s Most Beautiful Museums List 2026 include: Zayed National Museum in the United Arab Emirates, the Science & Technology Museum and the Xuelei Fragrance Museum in China, MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives in Japan, the Lost Shitetla Museum in Lithuania, and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. 

This recognition is the latest honor bestowed on the National Medal of Honor Museum. In addition to being named the Best New Museum in USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, the Museum received the Honor Award, National Design Awards, from the Society of American Registered Architects, and the Diamond Award, Engineering Excellence Awards, from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. 

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About the National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute   

The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute inspire individuals by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.  

The Museum, which opened on March 25, 2025, and was voted as the Best New Museum in America, serves as a national landmark located in America’s heartland in Arlington, Texas, and provides an unrivaled, interactive visitor experience that commemorates the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism, and courage that connects members of the United States military service past and present. It is the Museum’s mission to tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in a dynamic and interactive setting that will inspire visitors to recognize the potential for the extraordinary that resides in us all.    

Through dynamic and far-reaching curriculum and programming, the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute is bringing to life the core values inherent to the Medal of Honor in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the country.  

In 2021, The National Medal of Honor Monument Act was signed into law, paving the way for the monument’s placement in Washington, D.C. Soon, Americans and visitors of every nation will have the opportunity to reflect on the values represented by those whose selfless and courageous actions have served to safeguard freedom and democracy the world over.  

For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.