National Museum of the United States Army facts for kids
Museum logo
|
|
Museum entrance
|
|
| Established | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Location | 1775 Liberty Drive, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S. |
| Type | Military history |
| Owner | United States Army |
The National Museum of the United States Army is the official museum that tells the story of the United States Army. It opened on November 11, 2020. You can find it on 84 acres of land at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This location is about 20 miles south of Washington, D.C.. The museum's main goals are to honor American soldiers, keep Army history safe, and teach people about the Army's important role in the history of the United States.
The museum's main building is very large, about 185,000 square feet. Inside, it shows many items from the United States Army Center of Military History. Outside, there is a park with gardens and a special parade ground. This outdoor space is used for ceremonies, special events, talks, learning programs, and reunions.
Contents
Building the Museum
The idea for the museum started a long time ago. In September 2000, the Army Historical Foundation (AHF) was chosen to raise money for the museum. The Army also created a special office to manage the museum's design and construction.
Designing the Museum
In September 2008, a company called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill from New York was picked to design the museum building. Another company, Christopher Chadbourne & Associates, was chosen to design the exhibits inside. Later, in 2012, Eisterhold Associates, Inc., took over the exhibit planning. Design and Production, Inc. then started building the exhibits.
The U.S. Army runs and takes care of the museum. The Army Historical Foundation is in charge of things that make money, like the gift shop.
Opening Day Details
Work on the museum began in September 2016. It was first planned to open on June 4, 2020. However, the opening was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the final work on the galleries had to stop. The U.S. Army announced on April 16, 2020, that the museum would open later. It officially opened on Veterans Day in November 2020.
What You Can See and Learn
The National Museum of the United States Army has a huge exhibition area. Here, you can learn about soldiers' stories. You will see thousands of old items, documents, and pictures. These displays show the history of the U.S. Army through different time periods and themes.
Museum Goals
The museum has several important goals:
- Educate and engage: To teach people of all ages about the Army and its contributions.
- Preserve: To keep the Army's history safe for future generations.
- Honor: To show respect for Army values like patriotism, loyalty, and integrity. It helps people understand what it means to serve.
- Pay tribute: To honor the many generations of American soldiers. Their leadership and sacrifices have helped create and protect our nation.
- Inspire: To encourage today's soldiers by connecting their experiences to the Army's long history.
- Stimulate: To encourage young people to do well in school. This includes any subject that helps the Army's main goals.
Where the Museum Is Located
The museum is on the North Post of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This location was chosen on June 17, 2011. The Secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh, approved the decision. This was also the Army's 236th birthday!
Fort Belvoir North Post
Fort Belvoir is a large Army base. It is located in Fairfax County, Virginia. The museum's address is 1775 Liberty Drive. This address is a special way to remember the year the Army was founded, 1775.
The museum is about 20 miles south of Washington D.C. It is also only about 3 miles south of Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon was George Washington's home and gets over a million visitors each year.
Opening Ceremony
The museum opened to the public on Veterans Day in November 2020. Many important people attended the ceremony. These included Christopher C. Miller, who was the acting Secretary of Defense, and Ryan D. McCarthy, the Secretary of the Army. Both of them used to be Army officers.
.jpg)
Other leaders present were General Mark A. Milley, who was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also there were General James C. McConville, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Nacional del Ejército de Estados Unidos para niños
