Veterans Memorial Museum

Paul L. Bolden Military Museum Building

Please Note:  The Museum has closed this web page, and is using the new page designed by Michael Newman.  Please change your bookmark to www.memorialmuseum.org/index.html, or simply use www.memorialmuseum.org. 

 

 The Alabama Center of Military History, which operates The Veterans Memorial Museum, is a non-profit, tax exempt (501c3) educational institution for the purpose of historical preservation, public display, and public education.  The Museum is dedicated to promoting and disseminating the accomplishments of American military men and women. Our emphasis is on participants of World War I and subsequent conflicts, whose survivors and families can use the Museum facilities to reminisce on their own experiences and those of parents, grandparents, and other close relatives.  The Museum has been designated by the Alabama House of Representatives as the State of Alabama Veterans Memorial Museum. 

The Museum displays more than 30 historical military vehicles from World War I to the present, as well as tableaus, artifacts, and other memorabilia dating back to the Revolutionary War.  Supporting organizations include the 19th Alabama Infantry (www.19thalabama.org), which sponsors exhibits from 18th and 19th Century conflicts, and the 8th Air Force Historical Society, which sponsors a Bomb Group briefing room.  Both of these organizations support 'living history' presentations on many Saturdays.  

Among the attractions at the Museum is a reference library.   In addition to published material such as the Seventh Army After Action Report from World War II, the library offers written and oral reminiscences of Alabama veterans.   In this vein, veterans and their families are invited to send written material or audio cassette tapes to the Museum for inclusion in the library,  These submissions need not be formal.  A narrative by the veteran, or an interview by a relative, will provide a lasting legacy of the contribution of Alabama service members to the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. Click here for suggested content. 

The Museum participates in the President's 'Lessons in Liberty' Program.  If you would like to have a Veteran speak at your school, please contact the Museum as shown at the bottom of this page.

News     We are open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.  Other hours, for veteran or student groups, are available by appointment.  Admission is $5 per adult, $4 for seniors, and $3 for students under 18.  Sorry, we can't accept credit cards.  The Museum will be open on Labor Day, September 3rd.

The Museum regrets that we cannot admit patrons wearing "heelies" (wheeled shoes) or with skateboards.

We want to compliment Dalton Pool, who, for his Eagle Scout Project, cleaned up and documented the Iraqi Panhard Armored Car (shown below).  His full description of the characteristics and the crew stations of the vehicle is available at the Museum and would be a key reference in any future project to get the vehicle running.

For hobbyists and techno-nuts, the Museum has for sale a small (150 Hp) gas turbine.  The Garrett GTP30-150 is a gas turbine frequently used as an Auxiliary Power Unit.   Our unit is in original factory packing with logbooks indicating zero time since factory test.  E-mail us if you are interested in purchasing the turbine.

September kicks off the Combined Federal Campaign.  CFC recently gave nation-wide numbers to agencies eligible to receive CFC donations.  The Museum's new number is 21053, and may be used at any agency participating in CFC.  Be assured that any donation will be used to carry out the Museum's mission to commemorate those who served/

We have recently added displays of representative uniforms from all services.  Although we have a good selection of basic uniforms, we are short of proper shirts, ties, shoulder boards, and similar accessories.  If anyone has any of these small items, we would appreciate a donation.

 We would like to take this opportunity to thank our corporate and organizational sponsors who have provided cash and  in-kind donations to aid us in developing our displays and restoring military artifacts:    

                                            

                             Military Vehicle Rally, May 2007                                                                           Iraqi Panhard VCR/TH Armored Car 

 

Our World War II M36 Tank Destroyer

                       

         Alabama's "Merci" 40 and 8 Boxcar                                             Museum location in Huntsville                           

                                

The Veterans' Memorial Museum welcomes the participation of military and veterans' groups and individuals in making the Museum a valued educational and memorial attraction in North Alabama.  If you would like to volunteer exhibits, sponsorship, time, or funds, please contact us.  We have a particular need for volunteers to sponsor vehicles and wall displays.   Remember, we are an all-volunteer organization.  We have no paid staff, receive no appropriated funds and depend completely on volunteer support.  Any donations of your time, memorabilia, building improvements, or funds go directly toward making the Museum an asset to the City of Huntsville and the State of Alabama.    We are normally open Monday-Saturday 8-4 for development of exhibits.  We have an immediate need for volunteers:

-  To assist in restoration of several armored vehicles and aircraft

-  To do a couple of days of licensed plumbing

   Mail:    Veterans' Memorial Museum                       Phone: (256) 883-3737        

            2060A Airport Road                                          or by e-mail.                      

             Huntsville, AL 35801                             

HISTORICAL NOTE:  In the summer and fall of 1941, the US Army sent two light tank battalions, constituted from National Guard infantry divisions, to reinforce General MacArthur's forces defending the Philippine Islands.  Although outnumbered and without effective anti-personnel and anti-tank ammunition, these battalions slowed the rate of Japanese advance and delayed the ultimate loss of the Philippines.  Their official (and lengthy) After-Action Report is available to read by clicking here.  The Museum is fortunate to have an M3 Light Tank, currently under restoration, representative of those used to defend the Philippines.

To see scenes of Museum activities, click here  

We are affiliated with The Dixie Division Military Vehicles Club

Visit The Military Vehicle Preservation Association

September  2007

The Veterans Memorial Museum is a proud member of the North Alabama Military Heritage Trail.  Other members are:

Pope's Tavern   Florence

LaGrange College Site Park   Leighton

Old State Bank   Decatur

Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives   Athens

U.S. Space and Rocket Center   Huntsville

 

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The Alabama Center of Military History

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