National Museum of the United States Army facts for kids
Museum logo
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Museum entrance
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| Established | 2020 |
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| Location | 1775 Liberty Drive, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, United States |
| Type | Military history |
| Owner | United States Army |
The National Museum of the United States Army is the official museum for the history of the United States Army. It is located just outside Washington, D.C., in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The museum opened on November 11, 2020.
Its main goals are to honor American soldiers and to teach people about the Army's important role in American history. The museum also works to save and protect the Army's long history. The opening was delayed a bit because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The museum is built on 84 acres of land. The main building is very large, about 185,000 square feet. Inside, you can see many items from the United States Army Center of Military History. Outside, there is a park with gardens and a special area for events. This space is used for ceremonies, educational programs, and even soldier reunions.
Contents
Museum History
The idea for the National Museum of the United States Army started a long time ago. In 2000, the Army Historical Foundation (AHF) was chosen to help raise money for the museum. The Army also created a special office to plan and build the museum.
In 2008, the Army picked a company called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill 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. The U.S. Army runs and takes care of the museum every day.
What the Museum Teaches
The National Museum of the United States Army has several important goals. It wants to:
- Teach and involve people of all ages about the Army and its contributions.
- Protect the Army's history and its big part in the nation's past, present, and future.
- Honor Army values like patriotism, respect, and loyalty. It helps people understand what it means to serve.
- Give thanks to all the American soldiers who have served our nation for many generations. Their leadership and sacrifices have helped build and protect the country.
- Inspire today's soldiers by connecting their experiences to the Army's long history.
- Encourage young people in America to study hard. This helps them support the Army's important missions in many ways.
Museum Design and Exhibits
The main part of the National Museum of the United States Army is its large exhibition area. Here, you can learn about soldiers' stories. You will see thousands of artifacts, documents, and pictures. These items show the history of the United States Army through different time periods and themes.
The museum's design was carefully planned. The goal was to create a space where visitors could truly experience the Army's journey. The exhibits are designed to be engaging and educational for everyone.
Location at Fort Belvoir
The National Museum of the U.S. Army is located on the North Post of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This decision was announced in 2011. The plan was to build a multi-story main museum building. It would include exhibit halls, a theater, a Veterans' Hall, and areas for food and shops. There would also be a special learning center and a welcome lobby.
Fort Belvoir is a large military base. The museum's site is on the North Post, near the Fairfax County Parkway. The museum's address, 1775 Liberty Drive, is a special tribute. The year 1775 is when the U.S. Army was founded.
Fort Belvoir is about 20 miles south of Washington D.C. It is also only about 3 miles south of Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is the historic home of George Washington and gets over a million visitors each year.
Opening Day Ceremony
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The museum officially opened to the public on Veterans Day in November 2020. Important leaders 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. Other high-ranking Army generals also attended the special opening event.
Images for kids
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GI Card Game, Watercolor by James Pollock, U. S. Army Vietnam Combat Artists Team IV (CAT IV 1967). During the Vietnam War soldiers waiting to go on patrol would sometimes spend their leisure time playing cards. Courtesy National Museum of the United States Army.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Nacional del Ejército de Estados Unidos para niños
