A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History
With Dave Griffin

My family and I went on our normal summer vacation to southern Pennsylvania this year. We would usually visit Gettysburg since we were in the area, but on the drive in I spotted some military vehicles near Carslile. And knowing the Army had a War College there, we decided to take a closer look. What we found was a wonderful museum set up by the War College, The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

A Trip in Military History

As with so many government museums, it is free to the public, although they do take donations if you are so inclined. The inside is stuffed with information and, even more important to a father of three kids, tactile displays. They even had a kids' shooting range! The outside has actual mock-ups for the various wars that you can poke around in and experience. I have included both together as we walk through the time periods.
A Trip in Military History
World War I
A Trip in Military History

I was really excited to see this exhibit for a couple reasons. Since we brought out the Great War period here at Battlefront, I have started doing more research into this war. I have read several books and audio books during my business trips and also read accounts of my wife’s grand-uncle who fought there and kept a diary.

  A Trip in Military History
Right: My eldest with a gas warning sounder.
Below: an FT-17 

A Trip in Military History

Outside they had created a section of trenchline for us to go explore. Granted it is WAY cleaner than real life, but it gives you an idea of what life was like with 10-foot walls on either side and a small strip of sky above. 

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

Descending into the abyss, with my middle son (he is four and a half feet tall).
A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

Hanging out in the shellproof - notice the 6-year-old is the only one who could stand up in it.

A Trip in Military History

The Submerged Command Post. They have locked the door since there are vintage items inside.

Upon exiting the trenches you enter no-man's-land facing the German MG bunker. This distance often ranged from several hundred yards to, in some cases, less than 10 yards.

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History
Entering the Bunker. Once you get inside, watch your head. 
World War II  

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

Both inside and outside exhibits crammed a lot of information into this area. The kids loved the standing bunkhouses and the parachute trainer. After strapping yourself in you had to use the pull-down on either side to direct yourself to the landing zone. 
Authentic uniforms broken down by theater. 

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

Above: M4A3 Sherman.  Below: PaK 43.
A Trip in Military History
A Trip in Military History 
Above: 3 Inch AT gun. Below: M18 Hellcat.
A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

They even had a field-repair station set up in the bivouac area with the barracks 

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

Korea

Beautiful set up inside, as we had come to expect from this museum. Pictures and hands-on displays continued to keep the kids interested. They had a bunker set up with a movie running showing how the GIs must have felt being attacked at night.

A Trip in Military History A Trip in Military History
Vietnam
A Trip in Military History
Outside they had an entire Fire Support Base, complete with a guard tower, hooch and 105s standing by. Slicks and Cobras grace the outside grounds. A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

A Trip in Military History

Above: M42 Duster. Below: M60 Patton.
A Trip in Military History

At the far end, as tranquil as you can be nestled next to a major highway, is the memorial garden.

A Trip in Military History A Trip in Military History

I strongly recommend if you ever make it out to central Pennsylvania, to take a few hours out of your day and have a great time at this fantastic museum.

~Dave

U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center

950 Soldiers Dr, Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 245-3972


Last Updated On Friday, July 10, 2015 by James at Battlefront