Texas Military Forces Museum Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Texas Military Forces Museum
Sign outside the Texas Military Forces Museum
Established	1986; opened November 14, 1992
Location	Building Six Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas 30°18′42.173″N 97°45′38.338″W
Type	Military Museum

The Texas Military Forces Museum is a cool history museum located in Austin, Texas. It's officially known as the Brigadier General John C.L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum. This museum is part of the Texas Military Department at Camp Mabry. It's also connected to the United States Army Historical Program.

You can visit the museum Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. The best part is, admission is free! To get into Camp Mabry, you'll need a government ID. This could be a driver's license, a passport, or a common access card. From 1992 to 2007, about 159,000 people visited the museum.

The museum's main goal is to share the story of the Texas Military Forces. This includes their history from 1823 all the way to today. They also want to honor veterans and teach people about Texas military history. Plus, they hope to inspire young people to serve.

As of 2018, the museum is pretty big, covering 45,000 square feet. It has indoor and outdoor areas with 24 main exhibits. You can see over 10,000 items, 36 vehicles, and 8 dioramas. There are also 16 large displays and more than 50 mannequins in uniforms. The museum's library has over 10,000 books and 20,000 photos for research.

Museum History
Research and Collections
- Special Collections
Museum Exhibits
Museum Funding
Programs and Events
Volunteering Opportunities
Gallery
See also

Museum History

The idea for the Texas Military Forces Museum started in 1986. Major General James T. Dennis wanted to create a place to keep the history of the Texas Military Forces. Brigadier General John C. L. Scribner led this effort. In 1987, the United States Army Center of Military History approved its location. It was set up at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. Camp Mabry is a military base that serves as the main office for the Texas Military Department.

In 1990, Major General William C. Wilson chose Building 6 for the museum. This building was originally a dining hall built in 1918. The museum officially opened its doors to the public on November 14, 1992.

Around 159,000 visitors came to the museum between 1992 and 2007.
On February 4, 2006, the museum was named after Brigadier General John C. L. Scribner.
From 2008 to 2012, the museum had a big renovation. This update added new exhibits and made the building better.
More renovations happened in 2019. These changes included a new main entrance and better access to the Hall of Honor.

Research and Collections

The museum has a large library and archive. It holds over 10,000 books and magazines. There are also 20,000 photos. These resources are available for people who want to do research.

Special Collections

World War I service records
36th Infantry Division Roster from World War II

Museum Exhibits

The museum has six main parts for visitors to explore. These include four indoor galleries and one outdoor gallery. There's also a conference center. In total, you can see 10,000 artifacts and 36 vehicles. There are also eight dioramas, which are 3D scenes. You'll find 16 large displays and over 50 mannequins dressed in military uniforms.

Armor Row and Artillery Park

This is an outdoor exhibit. It features more than 36 tanks and artillery pieces. You can also find other aircraft, helicopters, and artillery pieces around the Camp Mabry parade field.

Gallery 1

This gallery covers the years from 1823 to 1859.

It shows the start of the Texas Militia.
You'll learn about the Texas Revolution.
It covers the time of the Republic of Texas.
The gallery also includes the Mexican War.
You can see how the Texas Rangers fought in the Texas—Indian Wars.
It also talks about the Texas Militia during the Crisis of 1850.

Gallery 2

This gallery focuses on the period from 1860 to 1918.

It covers the American Civil War.
You'll learn about the re-establishment of Texas Military Forces.
The gallery shows the Texas Rangers in the Texas—Indian Wars.
It explains how the Texas Army National Guard began (1870-1898).
You'll also see exhibits on the Spanish-American War.
It includes the Bandit War and Mexican Border War.
Finally, it covers World War I.

Gallery 3

This gallery explores history from 1919 to the present day.

It covers the time between the World Wars.
You'll learn about World War II.
It discusses the Cold War and the creation of the Texas Air National Guard.
The gallery features the 49th Armored Division.
It highlights Texas missions and United States missions.
Finally, it covers the War on Terror.

Great Hall

The Great Hall has many impressive items.

You can see the Twin Sisters cannons.
There's an exhibit about the Lost Battalion.
You'll find captured enemy equipment like a Hetzer tank and a Volkswagen Kübelwagen.
Tanks on display include an M4A3 105 (VHSS) Sherman and an M3A1 Stuart.
Aircraft include an F-16 Cockpit Egress Trainer. There's also a OH-58 Helicopter, a OH-23 Helicopter, a Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper, and a Republic F-84 Thunderjet.
You can see weapons like the Hotchkiss M1914.
Other equipment includes a Jeep and a DUKW.

Hall of Honor

The museum is home to the Texas Military Department's Hall of Honor. This area has a digital screen where you can learn about the lives of honored individuals. The Hall of Honor is also a conference center. It can be rented for events like conventions or banquets.

Museum Funding

The Texas Military Forces Museum gets its money from different places. The building itself is paid for by the federal government. The daily operations, like salaries and supplies, are paid for by the state. The Texas Military Department also works with the Texas Military Forces Historical Foundation. This foundation is a non-profit group that raises money through donations. They help the museum when needed. The museum also accepts individual donations and has a gift shop.

Programs and Events

The museum often hosts special events. These include reenactments, speakers, and dances. You can find a calendar of events on the museum's website.

They also have regular yearly events:

Hands on History — This event gives you a special look at items usually kept in the vault.
Battleground 1863 — This is a Civil War reenactment. It usually happens in March. It focuses on the weapons and tactics used by both sides.
Muster Day — This is a World War II reenactment. It happens along with the Texas Military Department Open House.
Close Assault — This event takes place on the weekends of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It focuses on the weapons and tactics of the 36th Infantry Division during World War II. It also covers the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.
Over There — This event focuses on the history of the 36th Infantry Division during World War I.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering at the museum is encouraged. There is also a special internship program. This program is for students who want to gain experience in the museum field. It's a great way to learn more about how museums work!