Museum Guide News

Come discover charm and history at the Northwest Carriage Museum! Home to an extraordinary collection of 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles and artifacts, the Museum is proud to be keeping history alive! With 64 vehicles and thousands of artifacts, visitors are amazed by the collection situated in the small town of Raymond, Washington. It’s no surprise that the Northwest Carriage Museum has become a premier destination for travelers exploring the PNW. Historical and educational, it's a great place for the whole family! Our interactive exhibits are fun for folks of all ages! We also have a unique gift shop, with a variety of books, old-fashioned toys, jewelry, and more! Since our doors opened in 2002, the museum has flourished, expanding from 21 vehicles to an impressive 64. The collection features luxury carriages, wagons, sleighs, hearses, a stagecoach, and a chuckwagon! Some of these stunning vehicles have appeared in timeless movie classics like “Gone with the Wind” and “The Little Princess.” As you explore, you’ll encounter thousands of artifacts, including vintage clothing, antique saddles, steamer trunks, chime bells, and carriage makers' tools. Year after year, the Northwest Carriage Museum attracts thousands of visitors, establishing itself as Pacific County’s top year-round tourist attraction. We invite you to “Come Get Carried Away” and experience the craftsmanship and artistry of a bygone era! The Museum is located at the junction of Hwy 101 and State Route 6 in Raymond, WA. Outside our doors is the pristine Willapa River and a beautiful park, perfect for a picnic. Within walking distance, you’ll find shops and restaurants. Call 360-942-4150 for questions and/or to schedule a tour for 6 or more people. Follow us on social media and check out https://www.nwcarriagemuseum.org/ ! The museum is open daily from 10 to 4 pm, and offers special admission for seniors, veterans, AAA members.

The Wisconsin National Guard Museum is dedicated to the history and heritage of the men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard. The Museum is affectionately known as "The Log Cabin". It was built in 1971 as an Officer's Club and was used for that purpose until 1983. It now houses historical exhibits portraying the history of the Wisconsin Army, the Air National Guard, and the famed 32nd "Red Arrow" Division. It is the oldest building on base. How to access the museum: We are located on the military base at Volk Field/Camp Williams. Because of this there are a few simple requirements for civilians who wish to visit: Everyone over the age of 18 must have a valid picture ID. Your vehicle will be searched to ensure the security and safety of the facility. No firearms or ammunition are allowed on base. Military or individuals with retiree cards are exempt from vehicle searches. Volk Field is located just north of I-90/94. Just pull up to the main gate (please use the far-left lane) and say you wish to visit the museum. From there security will give you directions to the museum. Our hours are: Wednesday - Saturday 9AM - 4PM and Sunday 10AM -2PM. We are closed in most federal holidays. Check us online: https://www.volkfield.ang.af.mil/Museum/  https://www.facebook.com/WNGMUSEUM/

The National Churchill Museum, was originally established in 1969 as the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library in the United States and renamed by act of Congress in 2009 as "America's National Churchill Museum". The museum and historic site is the nation's leading institution dedicated to remembering and honoring the life and enduring legacy of British Statesman Winston S. Churchill. The Museum, located on the campus of Westminster College, was created after a national campaign chaired by U.S. Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Eisenhower and Truman to memorialize the speech Churchill gave at the school on March 5, 1946. The Museum includes the majestic 17th-century church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury created by British architect Sir Christopher Wren. Bombed and badly damaged in the Second World War, the building was relocated from London to Fulton, Missouri, in the 1960s to honor Churchill's speech at Westminster College. The Museum also includes the largest continuous section of the Berlin Wall in North America, which is now a sculpture by Edwina Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill. At the museum we are honoring the 80th Anniversary of the March 5, 1946, Iron Curtain Speech!  "It is a solemn moment for the American Democracy. For with primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future" – Winston Churchill, "The Sinews of Peace" ('Iron Curtain' Speech). https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/sinews-of-peace-iron-curtain-speech.html The presence of Winston Churchill and President Harry Truman turned a college gymnasium in a small Midwestern town into a world stage as Churchill delivered his most famous post- World War II address — "The Sinews of Peace." That Churchill and Truman would travel to Fulton, Missouri, is a story of a college president with the boldness to ask for the seemingly impossible; of a Westminster College alumnus with access to the President of the United States; of a President of the United States with the willingness to endorse the invitation; and of a recently defeated British Prime Minister with the shrewdness to recognize an opportunity. It is a story of coincidence and a moment boldly grasped — a combination Churchill capitalized on throughout his life. We encourage you to visit our museum at any time of the year! The National Churchill Museum in Fulton, MO is the most comprehensive remembrance in honor of perhaps the greatest leader not only from WWII, but perhaps in the 20th Century! Hours: Daily 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving Day - Christmas Dayand New Year's Day – 573-592-5369 https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/  

The National Civil War Museum is one of the largest institutions in the world dedicated exclusively to the American Civil War. It stands out as the only museum of its kind that presents the Civil War from both Northern and Southern perspectives, offering insights from both military and civilian experiences. Through thoughtfully curated exhibits, the Museum not only chronicles key battles and campaigns but also illuminates the personal lives and stories affected by the conflict. Our mission is to serve as a national center for inspiring lifelong learning about the American Civil War, fostering a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in history. The National Civil War Museum is in Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, the oldest and largest municipal public park in the city. The building sits upon the highest point in the city, and the views from the site are simply lovely. Next to the building is our Walk of Valor, a ribbon of red brick that is symbolic of the bloodshed in war and bears the names of Civil War veterans honored by their surviving descendants. On the east side of the building opposite the entrance, you will find our Friends Walkway. We hope you will visit us this year as we are open year-round, Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Holidays: Regular business hours Closed: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. 717-260-1861. https://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org/visit/      

Two hundred years after his birth, the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln continues to fascinate and inspire. Born into poverty on the edge of an untamed frontier, his rise from obscurity to greatness has become a symbol of the universal hope that we can all improve our circumstances in life. In 1932 The History of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, CA began! It was gifted by Robert and Alma Watchorn. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine was originally designed in an octagon shape by noted Southern California architect Elmer Grey. The construction of reinforced concrete was faced with Bedford Indiana limestone plates upon which are inscribed excerpts from Lincoln’s speeches. Today you can come see the newest exhibition, “Imitative Lincoln: Art Derived from Photographs.” Focusing on the ways artists have recreated Lincoln’s likeness from the photographs he sat for in his life, the exhibit will include a wide range of artistic techniques, from 19th century engravings to modern day mosaics, demonstrating how Lincoln has inspired artists over time. There is a Civil War photo album donated by a local family a few years ago that came with an interesting story. Featuring more than two dozen men of the 21st Connecticut Infantry regiment, the album was created by the regiment’s Captain E. Perry Packer. Captain Packer and his family moved to Santa Monica, California in the 1870s and assumed new identities. Why did they make such a drastic move? Who were the men included in the photo album?Come visit us and find out! Are you on the calendar committee for your group or organization? Do you need a history outing for your school group? Book your tour at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine! The Shrine offers guided tours for groups of 12 or more adults or school aged children, Tuesdays – Saturdays from 9:30am to Noon (parents and chaperones excluded from total for school tours).  Come visit us soon!  https://www.lincolnshrine.org/    

On Your Next Stop in Bend, Oregon Visit the Deschutes Historical Museum Located south of historic downtown Bend, between Wall and Bond Streets, the Deschutes Historical Museum is home to the Deschutes County Historical Society. Inside the historic Reid School building exhibits celebrate the stories of life in the high desert country, the traditional homelands of the Molalla, Warm Springs, Wasco, Northern Piute, and Klamath peoples. From the early attraction of outdoor recreation and roadside tourism to a time when irrigation, the railroad, and lumber mills created new communities during the early 20th century, visitors to the museum will discover the rich and unique history of this area, a living legacy that grows with each new generation. Here's what we collect: https://www.deschuteshistory.org/collections/Put some history in your future, and join us on your next trip to Bend. During your visit check out the museum’s exhibit, Klunkers and Stumpjumpers: A History on Two Wheels, Mountain Biking History of Central Oregon. In the late 1970s, the logging roads and game trails of Awbrey Butte provided a playground of experimentation for early mountain bike pioneers who helped develop and cultivated the sport throughout Oregon. Check out our lates events at - https://www.deschuteshistory.org/events/For more information on these and other happenings at the Deschutes Historical Museum call 541-389-1813 or visit our website www.deschuteshistory.org The Deschutes Historical Museum is open 10am to 4:30 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Put some history in your future and join us on your next trip to Bend, Oregon.

Where can you touch what soars through the sky and see what zooms over land? The Estrella Warbirds Museum and Woodland Auto Display! Learn about rare military aircraft and vehicles, plus restored automobiles ranging from American and European classics to racetrack winners. Dedicated to restoring and preserving military aircraft, vehicles and memorabilia, the museum was established 30 years ago at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. We now encompass 20 acres and 14 buildings with exhibit halls, workshops, library, gift shop, and conference facilities. Experience history firsthand! Aircraft represent the Cold War to today, including Betsy's Biscuit Bomber, the WWII-vintage C-47 Dakota transport aircraft owned and still flown by the Gooney Bird Group. Book your appointment to fly the Hornet simulator on Fridays and Sundays! Ground vehicles include the Red Ball Express display: restored logistics vehicles that supported General Patton’s 1944 march to the Battle of the Bulge. Freedom Hall offers artifacts from World War I to today: actual cockpit instrument displays from U.S. and Japanese aircraft, plus a Norden bombsight, which improved accuracy of U.S. bombers in WWII. You might even recognize your grandparent's flight medals or uniform! The Woodland Auto Display features an 1886 Benz Motorwagen and 2005 Ford GT 550, and everything in between, all in showroom condition. Does racing excite you? Enjoy this amazing collection of race cars including midget, sprint, Silver Crown, modified, NASCAR, and Indy racers. The Woodland Auto Display has been called the best auto museum on the Central Coast! Your admission fee helps this 501(c)(3) honor those who flew, drove, and worked these vehicles. Estrella Warbirds Museum and Woodland Auto Display, 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles; open Thursday-Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Visit https://www.ewarbirds.org/index.html  or call (805) 238-9317 for more information.

The Montana Military Museum invites you to tour our facilities, check out our displays and help us honor those Montanans and citizens from other states and Canada who have service in our military forces to keep us secure and free. The museum tells Montana’s rich military history in a joint effort by the Montana Department of Military affairs, the Montana National Guard Museum Activity, the non-profit Fort William Henry Harrison Museum Foundation, and the volunteer staff who devote their time and creative energies to share these often remarkable true stories. The Montana National Guard has always collected its history, but no organized system of collections was instituted until 1980 when the members of the 103rd Public Information Detachment, later to become the 103rd Public Affairs Detachment, beginning reviewing items that had been donated by various Montana veterans to the Montana National Guard.  Much of this was housed in the State Headquarters for the Montana National Guard located in the Arsenal Building, and to a lesser degree in various location throughout the State at Armory sites and at Fort William Henry Harrison, the Montana National Guard's major training site located just west of Helena. In 1976 the first history of the Montana National Guard was published through the efforts of the Public Affairs Detachment.  That history, called the The Montana Militia: A History of Montana's Volunteer Forces, 1867-1976, has served as the backdrop for the Montana Military Museum Collection efforts. In the Spring of 1980, then 103rd Public Affairs Commander, Brigadier (Captain) Harold “Hal” Stearns directed his unit to establish a History Section and to begin the process of organizing the boxes of artifacts and documents that were in the possession of the Montana National Guard.  103rd personnel instrumental in initiating the effort were SFC Kermit Edmonds, MSG C. Milo McLeod, Sgt Orlin Svingen, and 1st SGT Howard Anderson.  Other personnel included Brigadier General Bill Yaeger, Major General John Womack, MG Jim Duffy, MG John E. "Gene" Prendergast, COL Howard McKinney, COL Joseph Upshaw, SGT Fred Naegele, SGM William E. "Pappy" Morrow, Col Ray Read, and others, stepped up to support, assist and contribute.  The cast become hundreds if not thousands over the years. In the Summer of 1984 the 103rd PAD initiated a request based on their experiences at regional and National conferences host by the U.S. Army Center of Military History and the National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Division and it growing History branch. The Request was to establish a Historical Holding Activity within the Montana National Guard under the provisions of Army Regulations 870-20 entitled, Historical Activities, Army Museums, Historical Artifacts and Art and National Guard Regulation and National Guard Regulation 870-20 ARNG Museums, Activities, and Historical Property.  The Request moved through the Office of the Adjutant General, who was at that time Major General Jim Duffy on up through National Guard Bureau PA (History) to the U.S. Army Center of Military History and its Museum Division.  In November 1984 Montana received formal approval of its request and Montana National Guard Museum Activity now known as the Montana Military Museum programs and collection was born. The first entry in the Museum Register was done in late 1980.  Those items are display today in the Museum.   It is estimated that 12,000 plus records of items reside in the Museum.   The collection covers the period from the American Revolution to the current military operations, with emphasis on the historical record of Montana's Military from the first the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1804-1806, to current Operations in the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kermit Edmonds, first Curator of Collections, in 1978, stated, “---that the collection of artifacts and information forms the heart of the Museum but the Record of that Collection is the Nervous system.   I say that all items great and small need to be collected, conserved, and evaluated as they may be critical to our understanding of events that have had an effect on us in the past and present.”   The Strength of Montana Military Museum Collection has led to the recent publishing the new Montana National Guard History, Splendid Service: A History of the Montana National Guard from 1867-2006.  Though not the final publication on the subject of Montana Military history, it represents a step forward in our process.  To be continued. Look further into our museum at: https://montanamilitarymuseum.org/ If you plan to visit us in mid-August, don’t miss the First Special Service Force (FSSF), also known as the "Devil's Brigade", 78th annual reunion and memorial service in Helena, Montana, from August 13-16, with a public memorial service on August 15. The reunion will be held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial. This year's reunion holds special significance as it's the first time in ten years it's been held at the unit's birthplace, Fort William Henry Harrison. The FSSF is a World War II joint American-Canadian commando unit and is considered the precursor to both the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and the U.S. Army's Special Forces, according to the Special Operations Association.  Prepared by Raymond K. Read, Museum Director/Curator 2020

Chenault Aviation & Military Museum honors veterans and soldiers from the Civil War through current conflicts! Through expansive collections of artifacts and compelling stories of the men and women who have served our country, the visitor receives a captivating insight into why we honor our history and our heroes. The museum is housed in the last remaining classrooms of the Selman Field Navigation School, the largest navigation school in the U.S. during WWII. The museum also honors the story of General Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers during WWII and how one man helped change the war in China. The bilingual “Way of a Fighter” exhibit is based on General Chennault’s book written in 1949. The museum also tells the story of how a small crop-dusting business evolved into the second largest airline in the world, Delta Airlines. Since opening its doors in 2000 with 3000 square feet, its expanded galleries have grown to 10,000 square feet providing over 11,000 artifacts and several veteran outreach programs. The aircraft restoration park will soon offer visitors a modern-day out-door facility with paved walk ways, covered pavilions, and restored military aircraft. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum has begun building an outdoor pavilion, display, and park showcasing seven restored military aircraft and more to tell our incredible story of aviation history and heritage. The Chennault Aviation Park will soon offer visitors a modern-day out-door facility with paved walk ways, covered pavilions, and restored military aircraft! The Museum also proud to host a number of educational programs. Chennault Museum is a regional judging place for the Nation History Day competition and sponsors the Freedom Spirit Art Competition for local art students. It provides STEM lesson plans offered online, offers field trips in the museum and aircraft restoration tours, has an extensive research library, has college internship opportunities! We look forward to welcoming you and showing you our vast military collections and exhibits! Check us out and learn more online:  https://chennaultmuseum.org/

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum Achieves $1.5 Million Fundraising Goal to Preserve the USS Cobia Submarine! The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in Manitowoc, WI is thrilled to announce that it hasachieved its fundraising goal of $1.5 million dollars to preserve the USS Cobia submarine, thanks to a generous grant of $500,000 from the State of Wisconsin! This critical funding was secured in the 2025-2027 State Biennial Budget, signed by Governor Evers in the early hours of July 3rd, and endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and State Representative Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc). Since 1970, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum has worked diligently to preserve USS Cobia so that its history remains accessible for generations to come. A critical milestone in this preservation will occur in September 2025 when the sub is towed to Sturgeon Bay for a six-week dry dock restoration at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. “We are so grateful to our staff, stakeholders, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle who recognize the importance of preserving USS Cobia as a national WWII historic landmark that enriches the cultural fabric of the City of Manitowoc and the State of Wisconsin,“We are so grateful to our staff, stakeholders, and elected officials on both s cognize the importance of preserving USS Cobia as a national WWII historic landmark that enriches the cultural fabric of the City of Manitowoc and the State of Wisconsin,” said Kevin Cullen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. “The $500,000 provided in the 2025-27 state budget will fund a portion of the investment necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the USS Cobia and ensure future generations can learn about Manitowoc’s contributions to the Allied forces during World War II,” said Senator LeMahieu. “This investment will inform thousands of annual visitors about the bravery and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation who fought in the Pacific or labored to build world-class submarines right here in Manitowoc,” said Representative Tittl. These dollars will provide the final piece of funding necessary for the restoration of USS Cobia. Additional funding is being provided through a $500,000 federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as hundreds of individual contributions from municipal, business, and private donors over the past decade. For more information about the project visit: https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/