Wouldn’t it be something to actually witness, in person, the original Servicemembers’ Readjustment Act of 1944 document – better known as the GI Bill? Sure enough, it’s available for the public to see in Indianapolis. Or perhaps you’re curious to imagine what it’s like to be a service member sitting at the very bottom of a 10-story missile silo. You guessed it, it’s absolutely possible to explore it if you visit Arizona.
If you’re anything like us, you probably love learning about America’s military history and authentic veterans’ experiences by visiting museums. These educational facilities provide excellent opportunities to engage with artifacts, personal stories, and artworks. They also offer visitors, families, children, and others a chance to understand important topics such as the historical contexts for America’s wars, hear the real experiences of prisoners of war, and see why veterans are commonly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
One of the best parts of physically being in the United States is the chance to visit some truly remarkable locations. On your travels back to the homeland, be sure to drop by one of the many museums of VMF interest scattered throughout the country, and only some of which are noted below. Museums aren’t just for high school students on field trips; they’re learning institutions that provide ample opportunities for Americans to comprehend better what service members, veterans, military families, Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, and so many other government employees have experienced over the years.
So, for the next time you’re planning to visit the U.S. for whatever reason, make sure to carve out some time to visit a VMF-related museum. Many of our VMF members living abroad have visited one or more of these locations, so we know firsthand how spectacular the learning experience can be. Maybe your thing is admiring portrait paintings of highly decorated veterans. Perhaps you prefer to explore detailed, handmade dioramas of battle scenes. Or possibly your hobby is simply sitting down and researching military biographies. If you do visit one of these amazing institutions of learning at some point, please feel free to tag us on social media or send us an email at [email protected] to let us know how your experience went, and send photos of you there – we love seeing our members!
Please note that the museums below are not an all-inclusive list; there are several more military/veteran-themed museums spread throughout the U.S. that are worth a visit.
If you’re in Alabama:
The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
Huntsville, AL
https://www.memorialmuseum.org
The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Mobile, AL
The Southern Museum of Flight
Birmingham, AL
https://southernmuseumofflight.org
If you’re in Alaska:
The Kodiak Military History Museum
Kodiak, AK
http://www.kadiak.org/museum/museum.html
The Alaska Veterans Museum
Anchorage, AK
https://www.alaskaveterans.org
If you’re in Arizona:
The Titan Missile Museum
Green Valley, AZ
https://titanmissilemuseum.org
The Fort Whipple Museum
Prescott, AZ
https://sharlothallmuseum.org/fort-whipple-museum/
The Arizona Military Museum
Phoenix, AZ
https://www.azmilitarymuseum.com
If you’re in Arkansas:
The Jacksonville Museum of Military History
Jacksonville, AR
https://www.jaxmilitarymuseum.org
Museum of Veterans and Military History
Vilonia, AR
http://www.veteransmuseumvilonia.com/Index.html
If you’re in California:
The Planes of Fame Air Museum
Chino, CA
The Japanese American National Museum
Los Angeles, CA
https://www.janm.org/exhibits/ireicho
The American Military Museum
South El Monte, CA
The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum
Port Hueneme, CA
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/seabee.html
The Estrella Warbirds Museum
Paso Robles, CA
https://www.ewarbirds.org/index.html
The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
Irvine, CA
https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/museum
If you’re in Colorado:
National Museum of World War II Aviation
Colorado Springs, CO
https://www.worldwariiaviation.org
If you’re in Connecticut:
The United States Coast Guard Museum
New London, CT
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Museum/
The Submarine Force Library and Museum
Groton, CT
If you’re in Delaware:
The Delaware Military Museum
Wilmington, DE
https://www.delawaremilitarymuseum.org
If you’re in the District of Columbia:
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, DC
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
Washington, DC
The African American Civil War Memorial and Museum
Washington, DC
The Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum
Washington, DC
The National Guard Memorial Museum
Washington, DC
https://www.ngef.org/national-guard-memorial-museum/
The National Museum of the United States Navy
Washington, DC
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/about-us/plan-your-visit.html
The Veterans History Project
The Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center
Washington, DC
If you’re in Florida:
The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
Fort Pierce, FL
https://www.navysealmuseum.org
The USCGC Ingham Maritime Museum
Key West, FL
The Military Heritage Museum
Punta Gorda, FL
https://militaryheritagemuseum.org
The USS Orleck Museum
Jacksonville, FL
The Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum
Cape Canaveral, FL
If you’re in Georgia:
The Webb Military Museum
Savannah, GA
https://www.webbmilitarymuseum.com
The National Infantry Museum
Columbus, GA
https://nationalinfantrymuseum.org
If you’re in Hawai’i:
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Honolulu, HI
https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org
If you’re in Idaho:
The Northside Military Museum
Jerome, ID
https://www.northsidemilitarymuseum.com
The Warhawk Air Museum
Nampa, ID
If you’re in Illinois:
The National Veterans Art Museum
Chicago, IL
The All Wars Museum
Quincy, IL
https://www.quincyivh.org/museum.html
The Air Combat Museum
Springfield, IL
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum
Rock Island, IL
https://arsenalhistoricalsociety.org
If you’re in Indiana:
The American Legion Emil A. Blackmore Museum
Indianapolis, IN
https://www.legion.org/information-center/library-museum/about-the-emil-a-blackmore-museum
The Indiana Military Museum
Vincennes, IN
https://www.indianamilitarymuseum.org
If you’re in Iowa:
The Restored Burlington Northern Depot & WWII Museum
Red Oak, IA
The Camp Algona POW Museum
Algona, IA
If you’re in Louisiana:
The National WWII Museum
New Orleans, LA
https://www.nationalww2museum.org
USS Kidd Veterans Museum
Baton Rouge, LA
The North Louisiana Military Museum
Ruston, LA
The Louisiana Maneuvers & Military Museum
Pineville, LA
If you’re in Kansas:
The American Overseas Schools Historical Society
Wichita, KS
The Combat Air Museum
Topeka, KS
https://www.combatairmuseum.org
The Museum of the Kansas National Guard
Topeka, KS
If you’re in Kentucky:
The Civil War Museum & the Women’s Museum of the Civil War
Bardstown, KY
https://bardstownmuseumrow.org
The Museum at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Perryville, KY
https://www.perryvillebattlefield.org/html/the_museum.html
The Kentucky Military History Museum
Frankfort, KY
https://history.ky.gov/visit/kentucky-military-history-museum/
The General George Patton Museum
Fort Knox, KY
If you’re in Maine:
The Wreaths Across America Museum
Columbia Falls, ME https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/NationalWreathsAcrossAmericaMuseum/
The Maine Military Museum
South Portland, ME
https://mainemilitarymuseum.org
The Fifth Maine Regiment Museum
Peaks Island, ME
https://www.fifthmainemuseum.org
If you’re in Maryland:
The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park
Newburg, MD
The U.S. Naval Academy Museum
Annapolis, MD
https://www.usna.edu/Museum/index.php
If you’re in Massachusetts:
The USS Constitution Museum
Charlestown, MA
https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/contact-us/
The U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum
Quincy, MA
The Cape Cod Military Museum
Mashpee, MA
https://www.capecodmilitarymuseum.org/index.html
The Fort Devens Museum
Devens, MA
If you’re in Michigan:
The World War II Glider and Military Museum
Iron Mountain, MI
https://menomineemuseum.com/glidermuseum
The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum
Bay City, MI
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum
Detroit, MI
The Fighting Falcon Military Museum
Greenville, MI
https://www.thefightingfalcon.com
The Michigan Military Heritage Museum
Jackson, MI
The Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum
Eastpointe, MI
If you’re in Minnesota:
The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
Little Falls, MN
The Minnesota Air National Guard Museum
Saint Paul, MN
The Fagen Fighters WWII Museum
Granite Falls, MN
https://www.fagenfighterswwiimuseum.org
The Aliveo Military Museum
Red Wing, MN
If you’re in Mississippi:
The African American Military History Museum
Hattiesburg, MS
The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
Camp Shelby, MS
https://msarmedforcesmuseum.org
The USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum
Vicksburg, MS
https://www.nps.gov/vick/u-s-s-cairo-gunboat.htm
If you’re in Missouri:
The National WWI Museum and Memorial
Kansas City, MO
The Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
St. Louis, MO
https://mohistory.org/memorial/
The Missouri Civil War Museum
St. Louis, MO
If you’re in Montana:
The Montana Military Museum
Fort Harrison, MT
https://montanamilitarymuseum.org
The Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History
Missoula, MT
https://www.fortmissoula.org/contact/
If you’re in Nebraska:
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Ashland, NE
The Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles
Lexington, NE
https://www.heartlandmuseum.com
The Sallows Military Museum
Alliance, NE
https://www.sallowsmilitarymuseum.com
The Nebraska National Guard Museum
Seward, NE
If you’re in Nevada:
The Atomic Museum
Las Vegas, NV
The Hawthorne Ordnance Museum
Hawthorne, NV
http://hawthorneordnancemuseum.com/contact-us.html
If you’re in New Hampshire:
The Wright Museum of World War II
Wolfeboro, NH
If you’re in New Jersey:
The Veterans United Military Memorial Museum
Tuckerton, NJ
http://www.vummm.org/home.html
The Old Barracks Museum
Trenton, NJ
The Fort Dix Military and Army Reserve Museum
Fort Dix, NJ
The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial
Camden, NJ
https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org
The Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey
Teterboro, NJ
If you’re in New Mexico:
The Museum of the American Military Family
Albuquerque, NM
https://militaryfamilymuseum.org/contact-us/
The American Armed Forces Museum
Alamogordo, NM
http://americanarmedforcesmuseum.com
The Navajo Code Talkers Museum
Gallup, NM
https://gallupculturalcenter.org
The Hamilton Military Museum
Truth or Consequences, NM
The War Eagles Air Museum
Santa Teresa, NM
https://www.wareaglesairmuseum.com
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Albuquerque, NM
If you’re in New York:
The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center
Saratoga Springs, NY
https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/unit-history/infantry-2/107th-infantry-regiment
The American Airpower Museum
Farmingdale, NY
https://www.americanairpowermuseum.com
The Buffalo and Erie County Naval Military Park
Buffalo, NY
The West Point Museum
West Point, NY
https://www.westpoint.edu/about/history-of-west-point
The Harbor Defense Museum at Fort Hamilton
Brooklyn, NY
https://www.harbordefensemuseum.com
The Intrepid Museum
New York, NY
The Museum of American Armor
Old Bethpage, NY
https://www.museumofamericanarmor.com
If you’re in North Carolina:
The 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum
Fort Bragg, NC
https://www.82ndairbornedivisionmuseum.com
The Montford Point Marine Museum
Camp Johnson, NC
https://montfordpointmarines.org/Museum
The JFK Special Warfare Museum
Fort Bragg, NC
https://specialwarfaremuseum.org
The Carolina Museum of the Marine
Jacksonville, NC
https://www.museumofthemarine.org
The G.I. Joe's Military “Living History” Museum
Kinston, NC
https://www.facebook.com/gijoesmilitarymuseum
The Edgecombe County Veterans’ Military Museum
Tarboro, NC
The Price of Freedom Museum
China Grove, NC
The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas
Brevard, NC
The American Military Museum of Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
https://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/11246
If you’re in Ohio:
The National Museum of the United States Air Force
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
The National VA History Center (Opening Soon)
Dayton, OH
The Motts Military Museum
Groveport, OH
https://mottsmilitarymuseuminc.com
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Columbus, OH
The War Vet Museum
Canfield, OH
http://warvetmuseum.org/index.html
The Underground Railroad Museum
Flushing, OH
The Boneyfiddle Military Museum
Portsmouth, OH
https://www.facebook.com/boneyfiddlemilitarymuseum/
The Miami Valley Military History Museum
Fairborn, OH
If you’re in Oklahoma:
The Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum
Fort Sill, OK
https://sill-www.army.mil/fs-museum/
The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum
Hobart, OK
https://www.tommyfranksmuseum.org/museum.html
The Military History Center
Broken Arrow, OK
The Yukon Veterans Museum
Yukon, OK
https://www.facebook.com/yukonveteransmuseum/
The 45th Infantry Division Museum
Oklahoma City, OK
https://www.oklahomalegalgroup.com/places/45th-infantry-division-museum
If you’re in Oregon:
The Oregon Coast Military Museum
Florence, OR
https://www.oregoncoastmilitarymuseum.com
The Tillamook Air Museum
Tillamook, OR
If you’re in Pennsylvania:
The Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Archive
Philadelphia, PA
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Gettysburg, PA
https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org
The National Civil War Museum
Harrisburg, PA
https://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org
The Berks Military History Museum
Mohnton, PA
https://berksmilitary.weebly.com
The Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum
Annville, PA
https://www.pngmilitarymuseum.org
The Eldred World War II Museum
Eldred, PA
https://www.eldredpawwiimuseum.com
The Independence Seaport Museum
Philadelphia, PA
If you’re in Puerto Rico:
The Ramey Air Force Base Museum
Aguadilla, PR
https://www.aviationmuseum.eu/Blogvorm/ramey-air-force-base-museum/
The Puerto Rico National Guard Museum
San Juan, PR
https://www.puertadetierra.info/edificios/museo/museo.htm
If you’re in Rhode Island:
The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
East Greenwich, RI
https://varnumcontinentals.org/armory-museum/
The Naval War College Museum
Newport, RI
https://www.usnwc.edu/NWC-Museum
The Westerly Armory
Westerly, RI
The Veterans Memorial Museum
Woonsocket, RI
https://www.veteransmemorialmuseumri.org
The Seabee Museum and Memorial Park
North Kingstown, RI
If you’re in South Carolina:
The South Carolina Maritime Museum
Georgetown, SC
The Citadel Museum
Charleston, SC
https://library.citadel.edu/museum
The Parris Island Museum
Parris Island, SC
The Confederate Museum
Charleston, SC
https://www.museumatmarkethall.com
The South Carolina Military Museum
Columbia, SC
https://www.scmilitarymuseum.com
If you’re in South Dakota:
The Old Fort Meade Museum
Sturgis, SD
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/sturgis/arts-culture-history/museums/old-fort-meade-museum
The South Dakota National Guard Museum
Pierre, SD
If you’re in Tennessee:
The Veterans' Museum
Halls, TN
The Military Memorial Museum
Crossville, TN
https://www.militarymemorialmuseum-tn.org
The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center
Chattanooga, TN
If you’re in Texas:
The H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas
Huntsville, TX
https://heartsmuseum.com/index.html
The National Medal of Honor Museum
Arlington, TX
The National Museum of the Pacific War
Fredericksburg, TX
http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org
The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
The Museum of the American G.I.
College Station, TX
The National WASP WWII Museum
Sweetwater, TX
The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Houston, TX
https://buffalosoldiersmuseum.org
The Military Museum of Fort Worth
Fort Worth, TX
https://www.militarymuseumfortworth.org
The American Freedom Museum
Bullard, TX
https://americanfreedommuseum.org
The Perrin Air Force Base Historical Museum
Denison, TX
https://perrinafbhistoricalmuseum.org
The National Vietnam War Museum
Weatherford, TX
https://www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org
The Texas Military Forces Museum
Austin, TX
https://texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org
The Galveston Naval Museum
Galveston, TX
https://www.galvestonnavalmuseum.com
The U.S. Army Medical Department Museum
San Antonio, TX
The 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum
Fort Bliss, TX
https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/my-fort/all-services/fort-bliss-and-old-ironsides-museu
The National United States Armed Forces Museum
Houston, TX
If you’re in Utah:
The Fort Douglas Military Museum
Salt Lake City, UT
The Topaz Japanese American Internment Camp Museum
Delta, UT
If you’re in Vermont:
The Fort Ethan Allen Museum
Essex, VT
https://www.parkinsonbooks.com/fortethanallenmuseum/feampages/museumhome.html
The Sullivan Museum and History Center
Northfield, VT
https://www.norwich.edu/campus-resources/library-archives-museum/sullivan-museum-and-history-center
If you’re in Virginia:
The National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle, VA
The U.S. Army Women’s Museum
Fort Lee, VA
The Cold War Museum
Vint Hill, VA
The American Civil War Museum at Appomattox
Appomattox, VA
CIA Museum (not open to the public; virtual only)
Langley, VA
https://www.cia.gov/legacy/museum/
Virginia Military Institute Museum
Lexington, VA
https://www.vmi.edu/museums-and-archives/vmi-museum/staff/
The Museum of Augusta Military Academy
Fort Defiance, VA
The National Museum of the United States Army
Fort Belvoir, VA
If you’re in Washington:
The United States Naval Undersea Museum
Keyport, WA
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/undersea.html
The Fort Walla Walla Museum
Walla Walla, WA
The Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum
Everett, WA
The McChord Air Museum
Joint Base-Lewis McChord, WA
https://www.mcchordairmuseum.org
The Puget Sound Navy Museum
Bremerton, WA
https://pugetsoundnavymuseum.org
The Veterans Living History Museum
Port Orchard, WA
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veterans-Living-History-Museum/439610442816832
The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum
Port Townsend, WA
The Veterans Memorial Museum
Chehalis, WA
https://www.veteransmuseum.org
If you’re in West Virginia:
The Mountaineer Military Museum
Weston, WV
https://www.mountaineermilitarymuseum.com
The Raleigh County Veterans Museum
Beckley, WV
https://visitwv.com/partners/raleigh-county-veterans-museum-inc/
If you’re in Wisconsin:
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library
Kenosha, WI
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/
The Military Veterans Museum
Oshkosh, WI
The Marshfield Heritage Museum
Marshfield, WI
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
Superior, WI
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Manitowoc, WI
https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org
The Fort Crawford Museum
Prairie du Chien, WI
https://www.fortcrawfordmuseum.com
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Madison, WI
The Civil War Museum
Kenosha, WI
https://museums.kenosha.org/civil-war-museum
If you’re in Wyoming:
The Heart Mountain WWII Japanese American Confinement Site
Powell, WY
The Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and Heritage Museum
F.E. Warren AFB, WY
The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum
Casper, WY
https://www.wyomilitary.wyo.gov/resources/veteran/museums/wy-veterans-memorial-museum/
The Military Memorial Museum
Cheyenne, WY
https://www.militarymemorialmuseum.com
The Wyoming National Guard Museum
Cheyenne, WY
https://www.wyomilitary.wyo.gov/resources/veteran/museums/wy-national-guard-museum/
And, of course, if you’d like to learn more about our very own VMF Caucus, who our members are and what kinds of things we’ve been up to, please take a moment to check out our own VMF Virtual Museum:
Democrats Abroad Global Veterans & Military Families Caucus
https://www.democratsabroad.org/vmf-virtual-museum
U.S. citizens living abroad, both civilian and military, are highly encouraged to check your voter registration status and request your ballot for any upcoming elections in your home voting state that you are eligible to vote in.
The VMF Caucus, proudly consisting of veterans, military family members, DoD civilians, and strong allies of veterans and military family causes, has a membership of approximately 1,300 members located in dozens of countries.
For questions pertaining to this statement, please reach out to