State of New Mexico, Navajo Preparatory School to break ground on Navajo Code Talkers Museum
SANTA FE – The State of New Mexico and Navajo Preparatory School invite the public to celebrate the historic groundbreaking of the Navajo Code Talkers Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 1 in Farmington, N.M.
Supported by nearly $20 million in state funding, the museum will honor more than 400 Navajo Marines who served as Navajo Code Talkers during World War II, creating the only military code in modern history that was never broken. The museum will preserve the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers while celebrating the Diné language, cultural knowledge, and traditions that made their contributions possible.
“The Navajo Code Talkers answered our nation’s call with their language, their courage and their lives,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Breaking ground on this museum is a promise kept. New Mexico will make sure their story is told for generations, in a place built by and for the Diné community.”
The museum will be constructed on Navajo Nation land at Navajo Preparatory School, held under a 99-year lease with the Navajo Nation. Plans include approximately 6,000 square feet of core exhibit space and an outreach center to support Navajo language and youth leadership. Together, these initiatives will create opportunities to preserve the Navajo Code Talkers’ legacy while advancing Diné language revitalization, cultural education, and leadership development for future generations.
The museum’s location holds historical significance. Navajo Preparatory School occupies the former campus of the Navajo Methodist Mission School, where at least 17 Navajo men who later served as Navajo Code Talkers once attended school. This connection provides a meaningful opportunity to honor their legacy on the very grounds that are part of their personal histories.
“This groundbreaking is a moment our students, families and veterans will remember,” said Navajo Preparatory School Head of School Shawna Allison Becenti. “The Navajo Code Talkers carried Diné Bizaad into history. This museum will carry it forward, rooted in our culture and guided by our community.”
The project brings together CSR Architects for architectural and engineering services and Ideum for exhibit planning and design. Engagement with Navajo Code Talkers, their families, descendants, cultural knowledge holders, and community members will play an important role in shaping the museum and ensuring that their stories are preserved with authenticity and respect.
More than a place of historical remembrance, the Navajo Code Talkers Museum will serve as a lasting tribute to the courage, service, and sacrifice of the Navajo Code Talkers while recognizing the enduring importance of the Diné language and its role in shaping Navajo identity and history.
Dedication Ceremony
The dedication ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Navajo Preparatory School’s Eagle’s Nest Gymnasium, 1220 West Apache Street, Farmington, New Mexico.
The event is free and open to the public.
To confirm attendance and for project updates, visit iad.nm.gov/NavajoCodeTalkersMuseum.