Oregon Military Museum facts for kids
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Museum building
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| Established | 1975 |
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| Location | Camp Withycombe, Oregon |
| Type | Military museum |
| Architect | Don Stastny |
| Owner | State of Oregon |
The Oregon Military Museum (OMM) is located at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas County, Oregon. It's a special place that celebrates and protects Oregon’s military history. This includes stories about the Oregon National Guard, early state militias, and all parts of the US Armed Forces.
The museum's main building has cool exhibits, a gift shop, and a library. There's also a "Hall of Valor" to honor heroes. Outside, you can explore the Historic Park. It has two old buildings and an outdoor display of tracked vehicles, like tanks! The museum also has a Restoration Shop where they fix up old military items.
The main goal of the Oregon Military Museum is to teach and inspire visitors. They want everyone to learn about Oregon’s military past. They also work hard to take care of all the historical items and documents they have.
Contents
History of the Museum
How the Museum Started
The Oregon Military Museum began in 1975. The Oregon Military Department created it. It was meant to be the official place to keep military weapons, documents, and artifacts. These items all relate to Oregon's military history.
Over the years, the museum has grown a lot. It keeps getting better at preserving items. It also works to share its history with more people.
Moving to a Bigger Home
Until 2008, the museum's collections were in several smaller buildings. These were also located at Camp Withycombe. This included a main building and an old horse barn.
Then, the museum moved to a much larger building. This new home is the 32,000-square-foot former Clackamas Armory. Moving to this bigger space was a huge step. It gave the museum more room for exhibits. It also allowed for better care of its collections. Plus, it created more space for programs and education.
What's Inside the New Building
The museum's new building has several important areas. The main exhibit gallery used to be the Armory’s drill floor. There is also a temporary gallery for changing exhibits. A special gallery displays weapons.
The Hall of Valor honors Oregonians who received the Medal of Honor. This is the highest military award. This hall also hosts special events and programs. The Thomas E. Withycombe Library was finished in 2020. It holds the museum's books, photos, videos, and historical documents.
Amazing Collections
What the Museum Collects
The Oregon Military Museum has a huge collection of important items. These treasures show Oregon’s rich military heritage. The museum's permanent collection has over 15,000 artifacts. This includes 50 vehicles, 750 small arms, and 1,300 uniforms. They also have 1,000 demilitarized ordinances.
The Thomas E. Withycombe Library is also packed with history. It contains over 35,000 publications. It also has more than 1,000 cubic feet of archives, photos, and videos. All these items together tell the many stories of Oregon's military history. They cover everything from before Oregon became a state to today. They highlight wartime efforts and humanitarian missions. They also show the role of the Oregon National Guard and individual Oregon service members.
Cool Artifacts You Can See
Since the 1970s, the museum has been collecting and preserving items. These items bring Oregon’s military history to life. Some of the larger items include a Korean War-era Sabre F-86 jet. There's also a World War I Liberty Truck. You can see a mid-20th century OH-23 Raven helicopter. An amphibious World War II DUKW truck is also part of the collection. They even have a RONS robot! Plus, there's Japanese, German, and American artillery dating back to 1865.
Smaller artifacts include "trench art" and homemade tools from prisoners of war (POW). You can also see dog tags and uniforms from almost every conflict. The museum's collection of small arms is one of the largest available to the public west of the Mississippi River.
Historical Documents and Photos
The museum's archives, photo, and video collections cover over 170 years of Oregon’s military history. They have original and secondary source materials. These range from personal diaries and scrapbooks to military manuals and reports. Along with the library's vast collection of books and guides, these items offer a deep look. They show Oregon's and Oregonians’ part in shaping history.
Programs and Exhibits
Learning and Fun Programs
The Oregon Military Museum offers many outreach and education programs. These programs help the museum inspire and teach the community. They work with other groups to offer fun and educational events.
Some programs include "Boots to Wheels" and "Living History Day." They also have career and education events. These often happen with the Oregon National Guard and other community groups.
Future Exhibits
The museum's main gallery exhibits are planned to open in 2025. Visitors will be able to explore the people, actions, and technologies of different wars. This includes the Indian Wars, both World Wars, and the Korean War. It also covers the mission in Afghanistan.
Exhibitions will feature all branches of the US Armed Services. They will also highlight the humanitarian and military service of the Oregon National Guard. Like most museums, only a small part of the collection will be on display. However, the museum will continue to share the stories and insights from its collections. They also plan to offer online access for researchers in the future.
