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From 1962 to 1974, toward assisting the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(a), Public Law 87-186, the National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board participated in an investigation and survey of lands and buildings in and near the District of Columbia suitable for the display of military collections.

In participating in this investigation and survey the Advisory Board was guided by Section 3(b), Public Law 87-186, which provides that "buildings acquired ... shall be used to house public exhibits and study collections that are not appropriate for the military exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution on the Mall."

Section 3(b) provides further that, on lands acquired, "facilities shall be provided for the display of large military objects and for the reconstruction, in an appropriate way, ... of exhibits showing the nature of fortifications, trenches, and other military and naval facilities characteristic of the American colonial period, the War of the Revolution, and subsequent American military and naval operations."

During 1962-1964, toward selection of a site which would fulfill the requirements stated above, the Advisory Board conducted a preliminary survey of fifteen potential sites, such as Anacostia Naval Air Station-Bolling Field, District of Columbia; the Naval Weapons Plant, District of Columbia; Jones Point, Virginia; Fort Washington, Maryland; and Hallowing Point, Virginia.

In considering all such potential sites, the Advisory Board used as principal criteria the following:

1. Location in or near the District of Columbia
2. Accessibility to the public via exiting public roads
3. Accessibility to naval vessels
4. Sufficient acreage to accommodate exhibits and visitors
5. Diversity of terrain