Pulse Memorial Divides Families Over $45M Museum Plan

Debate over preserving history versus commodifying grief at Orlando mass shooting site

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:53pm

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Years after the 2016 shooting at Pulse nightclub that killed 49 and injured 53, the site has transitioned from a makeshift memorial to a dedicated memorial, but the tension between preservation, education, and commercialization persists. The onePULSE Foundation's $45 million plan to build a permanent memorial and museum has drawn sharp criticism from some victims' families who fear the project will turn the site into a spectacle rather than a space for solemn reflection.

Why it matters

The debate in Orlando encapsulates a broader global challenge faced by nations managing sites of mass casualty: who owns the narrative of trauma? The tension highlights the ethical dilemma of balancing public education and private grief when memorializing tragic events.

The details

The onePULSE Foundation, led by Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma, aims to preserve the history of the June 12, 2016 attack through the museum. However, some victims' families, like Christine Leinonen whose son was killed, have publicly opposed the plan, characterizing it as 'obnoxious' and fearing it will turn the site into a tourist attraction. Other families, like Mayra Alvear whose daughter was killed, support the museum as a beacon of hope and learning. This split in consensus among victims' families complicates the governance of the memorial.

  • The physical memorial was officially dedicated on June 12, 2022, marking the sixth anniversary of the attack.
  • The museum component has faced delays common to large-scale memorial projects involving private fundraising and public oversight.

The players

onePULSE Foundation

A nonprofit organization founded by Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma to oversee the creation of a permanent memorial and museum at the site of the 2016 mass shooting.

Barbara Poma

The owner of Pulse nightclub and founder of the onePULSE Foundation, who has championed the $45 million plan to construct a permanent memorial and museum.

Christine Leinonen

The mother of a victim killed in the Pulse shooting, who has publicly opposed the onePULSE Foundation's ambitious museum plan, characterizing it as 'obnoxious' and fearing it will turn the site into a spectacle.

Michael Morales

A survivor of the Pulse shooting who was injured and lost his fiancé, Martin Benitez, and has voiced concern that the funds directed toward a museum could be better utilized to support survivors facing medical and psychological challenges.

Mayra Alvear

The mother of a victim killed in the Pulse shooting, who serves as a liaison with the onePULSE Foundation and views the site as 'sacred ground' and believes the museum will serve as a beacon of hope and learning.

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What they’re saying

“Build another volcano ride...or slide. Build another Space Mountain ride. But don't capitalize on my son's brutal murder.”

— Christine Leinonen

“Instead of doing a museum and all of these flashy things, tear down the club and do a real memorial. A place where you can go and think about what happened.”

— Michael Morales

“The site must ensure the events are 'never erased.'”

— Barbara Poma, Founder, onePULSE Foundation

What’s next

The onePULSE Foundation continues to manage the site, which sees significant daily visitation, as they work to complete the museum component of the memorial project.

The takeaway

The Pulse memorial project in Orlando highlights the complex challenges of memorializing mass violence, as organizers must navigate the balance between public education and private grief, as well as the potential for commercialization. The resolution of these issues will likely inform how future sites of tragedy are managed globally.