Ideum, an experiential designer of interactive exhibits, together with the USS Missouri Memorial Association, has announced the launch of Pathway to Peace: USS Missouri’s World War II Experience in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The new permanent exhibition debuted on 2 September 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the signing of the Instrument of Surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri, known as the 'Mighty Mo'.
Personal stories
Pathway to Peace explores the service of USS Missouri during World War II, and the personal experiences of its crew members. The immersive experience employs interactive technologies, rare artefacts, and firsthand accounts from sailors to illustrate the battleship's crucial role in the Pacific Theater and its transformation into a symbol of peace after the war.
The exhibition begins with a short immersive film including archive footage of the ship in action across the Pacific. This sets the context for a deeper investigation of Mighty Mo's history.
Crew members' personal stories and artefacts, many on show publicly for the first time, vividly depict their experiences. An interactive station features oral histories and interviews with the eight known surviving members of the USS Missouri's wartime crew. These include Edgar Buffman, who witnessed the Japanese signing of surrender documents 80 years ago.
Edgar Buffman speaking at the exhibition opening
Frank Clay, curator of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, says: "Pathway to Peace allows us to tell the Missouri’s World War II story in a way we’ve never done before, through the voices, artifacts, and memories of the sailors themselves.
"Visitors won’t just read about history; they’ll feel the weight of what it meant to serve on this ship, to fight for freedom, and to stand witness to peace. This exhibition ensures that the experiences of the Mighty Mo’s crew live on, inspiring generations to come."
Sensitive exhibit design
In developing Pathway to Peace, Ideum needed to add layers of interpretation to the space, without distracting from the historic vessel. This required the team to balance preservation and innovation while working within the constraints of the limited space within the battleship.
Alex Scarpitto, executive producer at Ideum, says: "From the start, we knew we had to work with the ship rather than fight it. Exhibit cases were custom-fit to nest between bulkheads; layouts bent and shifted around the existing steel. The ship’s structure had to be treated as part of the exhibit, not as an obstacle.
"Installing the exhibit on the Second Deck wasn’t about forklifts or elevators… It was about a single hatch and a lot of patience. Volunteers and staff carried crates down steep ladders and through narrow passageways.
"We embraced the ship as a living backdrop, rather than a static container —a setting that still moves, breathes, and carries the weight of its service. When you leave a site like this intact while making its story sharper, you’ve not only done the job right, you’ve added to a legacy that will outlast the exhibit itself."
The Battleship Missouri Memorial marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a series of events, including the formal opening and traditional Hawaiian blessing for the Pathway to Peace.
The exhibition will be a permanent part of the memorial, allowing future generations to engage with the ship's history and the legacy of those who served.
Elsewhere, Ideum has partnered with the National Park Service to develop an interactive projection map table that explores the volcanic and cultural history of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico.
Smithsonian's National Zoo - Washington D.C. 
