The National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C., celebrated its opening with a focus on the evolving nature of exploration, highlighting both the history and future of discovery through a collection of artifacts and testimonials from modern explorers.
Among the notable attendees was filmmaker and explorer James Cameron, who discussed his experience descending to the deepest point on Earth with a specially designed Rolex watch, the Deepsea Challenge, attached to his submersible’s robotic arm. Cameron described the timepiece enduring immense pressure of up to 16,500 pounds per square inch and expressed pride in being recognized alongside other renowned explorers featured at the museum. He also reflected on the impact National Geographic magazine had on his childhood, inspiring him to pursue science and exploration, and even influencing his creative work such as the "Avatar" films.
Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society, spoke about the museum as the result of years of planning, located on the same street block as the Society's historic headquarters. Founded in 1888 to promote geographic knowledge, the Society has since evolved its mission to "illuminate and protect the wonder of our world." Tiefenthaler emphasized that increasing public exposure to the planet’s natural wonders, whether through direct experience or via the museum, fosters environmental stewardship driven by curiosity and admiration.
The museum also serves to reflect a shift in exploration activities supported by National Geographic and its partner Rolex. Bertie Gregory, 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, highlighted the transition from traditional "flag-planting" expeditions to endeavors focused on inspiring interest in the natural environment. Since 2019, the Perpetual Planet Expeditions program has backed scientific research projects led by explorers investigating the effects of environmental change on vulnerable ecosystems and pursuing solutions for their protection.
The opening event showcased the diversity of contemporary explorers, including a broader representation of gender and race, as the Society now emphasizes involving local scientists, educators, and storytellers in its global initiatives.
Exhibits at the museum emphasize the important role of equipment in exploration. On the second floor’s Rolex Explorers Landing, visitors can see Cameron’s watch, Jacques Cousteau’s submersible, and the dive suit worn by Sylvia Earle during her record-breaking 1979 untethered seabed walk at 381 meters. More modest artifacts, such as a shovel handle used to repair a high-altitude weather station, also demonstrate the inventive challenges faced in expedition work.
Gregory underscored the necessity of appropriate gear for extreme conditions, recounting his use of a custom heated liner powered by his camera battery to maintain dexterity in the cold Antarctic environment. His choice of a Rolex Explorer watch, designed for extreme altitudes, temperatures, and depths, exemplifies the ongoing importance of reliable technology in the field.
The museum’s exhibits and programming aim to inspire a new generation of explorers by celebrating both the spirit of adventure and a commitment to understanding and protecting the natural world.