U.S. Army Transportation Museum facts for kids
CH-54A (H54A) Tarhe "Sky Crane" outside the museum
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Eustis, Virginia |
| Type | Military Museum |
| Visitors | 50,000 |
The U.S. Army Transportation Museum is a special place where you can see many different types of vehicles and equipment used by the United States Army. It shows how the Army has moved people and supplies throughout history. The museum is located at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia.
Contents
History of the Museum
The museum first opened in 1959. It started in a warehouse with items gathered for a display to help people learn about the Army. A main building was built in 1976. Later, in 1987, an outdoor area for aircraft was added.
These buildings and other improvements cost a lot of money. They were paid for by the Army Transportation Museum Foundation. This foundation gets its money from private donations. It cannot get money from the government.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum tells the story of the Army, especially the United States Army Transportation Corps. This group is in charge of moving everything for the Army. The museum has almost 100 military vehicles. These include planes, trucks, boats, and trains. Some of the trains are from the Fort Eustis Military Railroad.
The museum is dedicated to General Frank S. Besson, Jr.. He was the first four-star general to lead the transportation command. The museum covers a large area, about 6 acres. It has vehicles that travel on land, in the air, and on water. Inside, there are exhibits that show how transportation has helped the U.S. Army. These exhibits cover wars from the American Revolutionary War up to the war in Afghanistan.
Inside the Museum Building
The main museum building is very big, about 50,000 square feet. Inside, you will find many items related to transportation. They are shown in detailed displays called dioramas. These dioramas are set up in order of time, from oldest to newest.
Early Trucks and Vehicles
You can learn about the first trucks used by the Army. There are exhibits about the Mexican Punitive Expedition and the "Liberty truck". The Liberty Truck was the Army's first standardized truck. It was a 5-ton cargo truck made with parts that could be easily swapped. You can also read letters from soldiers who used these trucks.
World War II Exhibits
The museum has several exhibits about World War II. One is about "Operation Mulberry". This was a plan to build two artificial harbors on the coast of Normandy. These harbors helped bring supplies for the D-Day invasion. Many tugboats and special floating parts were used.
Another exhibit focuses on the Red Ball Express. This was a huge operation to deliver supplies. It helped General Patton's army move forward after D-Day. The exhibit has photos and paintings of the trucks. There is also a diorama showing a rest stop for trucks.
Vietnam War Displays
The museum has a large exhibit about the Vietnam War. It includes a big diorama with the gun truck Eve of Destruction. This is believed to be the only gun truck from that time still existing. It was named after a famous protest song.
You can also see a display of a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter that crashed in a rice field. There are even bicycles used by the Viet Cong soldiers. The museum also has many pictures of gun trucks from the war.
Outdoor Vehicle Parks
Outside the museum, there are four large parks. You can see many different vehicles used by the transport command.
Road and Water Vehicles
The vehicle park has many road vehicles, including a DUKW. This was a special truck that could also go in the water. The marine park has Army boats like a tugboat and different types of amphibious craft. These include landing craft and wheeled barges.
Aircraft Pavilion
The aviation pavilion shows many aircraft. These include both planes and helicopters. They range from the Korean War to today. You can see an HZ-1 Aerocycle and an OH-23 Raven helicopter. There is also a plane that can take off and land straight up.
Train and Railway Exhibits
The rail section has several important train items. You can see railway cars used in the Berlin duty train. There are also standard tank switchers. These are small engines used to move train cars. You can also see different types of freight cars and equipment used to maintain the railway tracks.
Visiting the Museum
The museum is located on an active military base. This means you will need to check in at the guard station. Your vehicle might be searched. You will also need a visitor's pass. Make sure to bring your driver's license, car insurance, and car registration. If you are from another country, you will need your passport.
The museum has a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. There is also a library if you want to do research. You just need to ask in advance. The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Saturday.
