Pritzker Military Museum & Library facts for kids

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is a special museum and research library where people can study military history. It is a non-profit organization, which means it uses its money to support its mission, not to make a profit. The museum opened in 2003 and is now located in a modern building in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The museum has unique collections, including items related to the famous British leader Winston Churchill and sheet music from wartime.

A Modern Building

The museum's building in Kenosha is an architectural masterpiece. It was one of the last buildings designed by the famous architect Helmut Jahn. The design was so impressive that it won several awards for its style and technology.

Some of the awards include:

• ENR Midwest "Cultural Best Project Award"
• ACEC Honor Award for Building/Technology Systems
• ACEC Judges' Choice Award for Building/Technology Systems
• AIA Chicago Honor Award

How the Museum Began

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library was founded in 2003 by Colonel (Hon.) Jennifer Pritzker. She had recently retired from the Illinois Army National Guard. Her goal was to create a place that was non-partisan, meaning it doesn't favor any political party.

The museum was created to study the "citizen soldier." This is the idea that regular citizens who serve in the military are vital for protecting a democracy. The museum first opened in Chicago and later moved to its current home in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is supported by donations from people and organizations who believe in its mission.

What's Inside the Collection?

The seal of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, designed by artist James Dietz.

The museum's collection is huge, with over 115,000 items. This includes more than 70,000 books, magazines, videos, and artwork. There are also rare military items like posters and over 9,000 photos from the American Civil War and Spanish–American War up to today.

Visitors can also see personal letters and journals written by American soldiers. One special donation came from Sam Gevirtz, who gave the museum his two diaries from his time serving in World War II.

Borrowing and Rare Books

The library works with other libraries across the United States, so members can borrow certain books.

However, some items are too rare to be checked out. The library has a special collection of over 3,000 rare books. These include a book from 1650 called De Bello Belgico and another from 1763 about a major war. These valuable books must be read in a special reading room at the museum.

Special Collections

The museum organizes many of its items into named collections. These are often collections that were donated by a specific person or are focused on one topic. Some of these include:

• Parrish Collection on Soviet History: Items about the history of the Soviet Union.
• Dr. Charles E. Metz Collection: Books about airplanes used in World War II.
• Lt. Col. Robert C. Peithman Collection: Books about the United States Marine Corps.
• Robert G. Burkhardt Memorial Collection: Books about submarines and leadership.
• World War I and World War II Sheet Music: A collection of music that was popular during the wars.

Programs and Events

The museum creates many programs to teach people about military history.

Pritzker Military Presents

This was a TV series that covered many topics in military history. The show featured film screenings, talks by authors, and discussions with military experts.

Famous guests included Medal of Honor winners, retired generals, and even NASA Captain Jim Lovell, who was an astronaut. Authors like Doris Kearns Goodwin and Rick Atkinson also appeared on the show. The programs were streamed live online and are still available to watch on the museum's website.

Citizen Soldier

Citizen Soldier was another TV show produced by the museum. Each episode was created from a panel or interview that took place at the museum. The show was broadcast on public television in Chicago. You can watch all the episodes on the museum's website.

Oral History Program

The Holt Oral History Program records the stories of U.S. military veterans. The museum has collected stories from over 71 veterans. This gives veterans a place to share their experiences. You can listen to these interviews and read the transcripts on the museum's website.

Museum Exhibitions

The museum hosts exhibitions that display art and artifacts. Some exhibitions have featured the work of artists who focus on military subjects, like Steve Mumford and James Dietz.

Other interesting exhibitions have included:

• She's a Wow!: This exhibit focused on the service organizations run by women during World War II.
• Navy SEALs Exhibit: In 2014, the museum showed photos of Navy SEALs in training and during their service in Afghanistan. It also included uniforms and equipment from the Navy SEAL Museum.
• D-Day+75: To mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019, this exhibit featured images, letters, and maps from the famous invasion of Normandy.
• Tet and the Battle of Hue: This 2023 exhibit used images, audio, and interactive displays to tell the personal stories of soldiers who fought in a brutal battle during the Vietnam War.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Since 2007, the museum has given out the Pritzker Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. This award honors authors who have spent their careers writing about military history. The award comes with a prize of $100,000.

Award Winners

• 2007: James M. McPherson
• 2008: Allan R. Millett
• 2009: Gerhard Weinberg
• 2010: Rick Atkinson
• 2011: Carlo D'Este
• 2012: Sir Max Hastings
• 2013: Tim O'Brien
• 2014: Antony Beevor
• 2015: David Hackett Fischer
• 2016: Hew Strachan
• 2017: Peter Paret
• 2018: Dennis Showalter
• 2019: John H. Morrow Jr.
• 2020: David Glantz
• 2021: Margaret MacMillan
• 2023: Dr. Craig L. Symonds

See also

In Spanish: Biblioteca Militar Pritzker para niños

• C. C. Beall – some of his art is in the collection
• Bill Mauldin – many of his famous cartoons are in the collection