National Geographic Museum of Exploration opens in Washington DC

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration opened in Washington, D.C., featuring exhibits and appearances by notable explorers like Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu, who uses celebrity-named penguins to engage the public in scientific research. Supported by longtime partner Rolex, the museum intends to inspire visitors by highlighting the legacy and ongoing work of modern exploration and discovery.

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration officially opened its doors in Washington, D.C., unveiling a new space dedicated to showcasing the achievements and ongoing work of modern explorers. The event featured several prominent National Geographic explorers who have contributed significantly to scientific discovery and public engagement.

Among those present was Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu, the 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, who detailed his innovative approach to studying penguin migration. Borboroglu, a scientist known for equipping penguins with tracking devices, has playfully named some of these birds after celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Taylor Swift, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. His project aims to make complex scientific data accessible to a broad audience, allowing the public to follow the movements of these “celebrity” penguins through globalpenguinsociety.org.

The museum opening attracted a diverse group of explorers and experts, many of whom appeared in attire reflecting their adventurous professions rather than formal event wear. Among them was paleoanthropologist Lee Berger, noted for his distinctive Indiana Jones-style hat and leather jacket. Filmmaker and photojournalist John Stanmeyer wore practical clothing suited for fieldwork, including a utility waistcoat and headscarf. Photographer Thomas Peschak, who spent over a year documenting the Amazon for the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Amazon expedition, arrived dressed in a denim jacket and khakis, also sporting a Rolex Explorer watch.

Rolex played a significant role in the museum’s establishment as a Grand Opening Partner and long-standing collaborator with National Geographic. The Swiss watchmaker’s relationship with the organization dates back more than 70 years, starting with its support for the 1953 Everest expedition led by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, saw explorers as ideal ambassadors for showcasing the durability and precision of his watches. The Rolex Explorer model was launched the same year, featuring a water-resistant Oyster case designed to withstand extreme conditions.

Rolex’s exploratory legacy extends beyond mountaineering. In 1960, a Rolex Oyster-cased watch journeyed to the bottom of the Mariana Trench attached to the submersible piloted by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh. This deep-sea expedition was revisited in 2012 during filmmaker James Cameron’s solo descent into the trench, further solidifying the brand’s connection to groundbreaking exploration.

The new museum is part of a broader transformation of National Geographic’s Washington headquarters, supported in part by Rolex as a Base Camp Founding Donor. It aims to inspire and educate visitors about the spirit of exploration and scientific inquiry embraced by National Geographic and its network of explorers.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.