Top Photo: Bob Farnsworth, Museum Senior Vice President for Capital Programs, poses with the sculpture War Dog and Handler, which was dedicated in April 2024 in recognition of Bob’s years of leadership.

National WWII Museum Trustees, staff, friends, and guests gathered recently to mark the retirement of Senior Vice President for Capital Programs Robert W. “Bob” Farnsworth, who for more than 20 years has been instrumental in the transformation of the Museum’s seven-acre, seven-pavilion campus. 

“Bob has been an essential part of this museum for two decades, leaving an indelible mark on this campus and institution,” said Museum President & CEO Stephen J. Watson. “His passion and hard work have helped build something that will last for generations to come, and we congratulate him on his retirement.” 

With the Museum’s 2004 congressional designation as America’s National WWII Museum came the commitment to expand to tell the entire story of the war that changed the world.  Bob joined the Museum to manage that expansion, drawing on his years of experience in construction projects and regulatory processes, including his previous roles as Director of Design and Construction for Harrah’s New Orleans Casino and Executive Vice President for Design and Construction at Columbus General Properties. Over the next two decades, Bob would work closely with architects Voorsanger Mathes, exhibit designer Gallagher & Associates, Museum team members, and leading historical advisers to fulfill the Museum’s campus Master Plan.

Bob spearheaded the development of dozens of capital projects throughout the years, securing civic support and funding, negotiating contracts, and managing construction and exhibit design. Among his first projects was The E.J. Ourso Discovery Hall in Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, built to expand the Museum’s educational progress; Bob helped keep the project on track in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He also worked with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to relocate part of a state highway from the middle of campus and to revitalize the corridor of Magazine Street that borders much of the Museum.  

As the Museum grew, Bob’s next projects would include the Museum’s new pavilions—the Solomon Victory Theater complex, John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion, US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, the Campaigns of Courage pavilion, Hall of Democracy, and Liberation Pavilion—as well as the Bollinger Canopy of Peace and The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center. He conceived of Founders Plaza, which unites the Museum campus across Andrew Higgins Boulevard, and pushed to create the life-size statues of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anne Frank, Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George C. Marshall, and others that can be found on the plaza and the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground. In 2024, the Museum unveiled the War Dog and Handler sculpture on the plaza, gifted by the Board of Trustees and dedicated to Bob in recognition of his years of leadership.

One of his most significant contributions to the Museum came after seeing a projection mapping light show during a trip to Europe. Bob knew the Museum could do something similar with the architecturally unique buildings on its campus. Thus, working with media production firms Mousetrappe and Solomon Group, Bob’s idea became Expressions of America, which premiered in November 2022. This immersive sound and light show brings history to life on a grand scale, combining cutting-edge technology and special effects with the stories of everyday people who made an impact during World War II.

Bob’s last major building project was Liberation Pavilion, which opened in November 2023 to fulfill the Museum’s campus Master Plan. The capstone pavilion reflects a key part of the Museum’s mission—what World War II means today—and tells a more complete story of the American experience in the war.  

Bob’s impact on the Museum cannot be overstated. Even as he retires, his influence will still be felt as projects he helped launch come to fruition in the coming years.  

“We’ve built something that generation after generation will see, and I’m very proud of the part that I’ve played,” said Bob. “It was the most incredible way to spend the last two decades, knowing you’re part of something bigger than you.”