The first acquisition for the new museum was a large quantity of ammunition boxes and fuel cans used on the set of the 2014 movie, Fury, starring Brad Pitt and shot locally in Dorset. These joined Derek's collection of military vehicles and artefacts already awaiting their place in the new museum.

In September 2016, prior to the opening of the museum, the 1st Infantry Division UK Reenactment Group loaned this original wartime US flag to the museum. It was presented to Derek and volunteers by the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment Association. This month also saw the salvage of the Jolly Sailor pub sign from across the road. The pub had fallen into disrepair, having been used by servicemen and members of the local population prior to the departure of the Navy in the 1990s. The sign now hangs in the museum.

On 9th October 2016, the D-Day Centre is opened up to a new team of volunteers and military reenactors for a tour of the progress. Though work is yet to be completed on the museum, the initial look is met with great enthusiasm from all attendees.

On the 10th January, a replica spitfire is delivered by lorry to the museum. Due to the size, this iconic plane is reconstructed and painted on the museum floor before being lifted into position, suspended from the museum ceiling. Air support has officially arrived.

Located just a short walk from Portland Port, D-Day Museum volunteers welcome American visitors aboard the Disney Cruise Ship to Portland. This would mark a long tradition of our volunteers welcoming passengers and inviting them to discover the history of Castletown.

The D-Day Museum organises it's first ever event. The Christmas Weekend features live music, historic displays, reenactments and food and drink. Many of the exhibits are decorated with 1940s themed Christmas decorations and visitors are invited to experience a host of wartime festivities.

Museum founder, Derek Luckhurst, commissions six wartime figures to be positioned on the Phoenix caissons at Castletown's Mulberry Habrours. This marked the 74th anniversary of D-Day and comprises of two US GIs to commemorate the hundreds of thousands who came to Portland ahead of D-Day, two Portland dockyard 'mateys' and two British naval figures, an officer and a ranking.

On 18th September, Castletown D-Day Museum welcomes the arrival of a DUKW; a six-wheel drive amphiobious modification of the 2 and a half ton CCKW trucks used by the U.S. military during WW2. This large vehicle had been used as a tour boat and would undergo restoration back to a military vehicle in the months following its acquisition.

On 16th October 2022, Castletown D-Day Museum played host to 97 year old D-day veteran, Albert Fenton at our 1940s weekend. Fenton served with the corps responsible for supplying food, water, fuel, and military equipment to soldiers at Juno Beach on D-Day. Recounting his experiences he said:

"We arrived at Juno Beach and had to stay on board until a road was laid for us as the sand had all been blown up. All the while waiting we could hear battleships firing - the noise was so loud it almost burst our eardrums. I am sure I was not the only one who was petrified at what we were about to walk into. We stayed in Courseulles-sur-Mer for about five weeks taking petrol and supplies to the frontline mainly from the Mulberry Harbour which was in operation after about 10 days."

Following a request for the approval of wearing authentic U.S. military unforms, Castletown D-Day Museum receives a reply from the U.S. Embassy expressing their appreciation of the museum and official confirmation that all uniforms are correct and that wearing them is deemed a mark of respect to those who served. With many of our volunteers being ex-servicemen, uniforms are worn in accordance with their rank at the point of retirement.