In this side trail, I dive a little deeper into the Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison State Park with museum president Christopher Schneider. We get into WWI and pickelhelms, Chris shares about why you might need math in life, about the WWII German Panther tank turret in the museum, and much more.
The Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison State Park
I’ve been to Fort Harrison State Park hundreds of times, but I’d never been inside the Museum of 20th Century Warfare. The volunteer-led museum is located across from the horse barn, and like its name says, the museum covers 20th century war in the United States. It begins with the China Relief Expedition in 1900, which you may know as the Boxer Rebellion, and it goes all the way through Kosovo.
The museum is a treasure trove of information for history buffs or those interested in military history. It’s also a fantastic resource for anyone with family in the military who wants to learn more about their experiences.
IN the Podcast Episode
You’ll hear museum highlights from president Christopher Schneider who was an Army tank commander and is a 21-year military veteran. He covers information you may know about past wars, but Christopher also shares details about WWI and WWII that I’d never heard. He also spotlights some of the lesser-known wars of the 20th century.
Listen to Side Trail: The Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison State Park on Apple or Spotify.
Making History Come Alive
The museum is home to a military history library of over 4,000 books, which is a valuable resource for veterans and military families who want to learn more about the service of someone in their family. The staff can also help veterans and families understand the significance of uniforms, medals, gear, and more. They host events about various wars and conflicts and occasionally do some reenactments.
The hour I spent with current museum president Christopher Schneider was packed with knowledge. What I really appreciated about the museum was all the donated items that made history real. I saw uniforms, medals, patches, and gear that real men and women held in their hands while they defended our country. There are also maps, mockups, and models of various machines and battles that helped me grasp the significance of parts of history I've overlooked before.
A few specific highlights include the WWI uniforms with a Prussian pickle helm, one of those helmets with a spike on the top. There’s also a replica of a WWI trench and a feature on wartime photography.
As the museum transitions to World War II, you see a large model of the USS Indianapolis, a Finnish bike, and information about Enigma machines. There's also a display of nearly every piece of equipment a soldier would have carried during the war. Christopher walked me through the history of aircraft in the Pacific, the immense value of the field artillery, and models of basic tanks. Christopher was a tank commander, so he is especially proud of the full size replica he has of a German Panther tank turret.
There’s a section on the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Kosovo. Christopher also shared a little about his time with me. He told me, “I went in in June 1975. I'm Cold War era from here. I was in during Desert Storm. My unit was not called up.” You’ll hear much more from Christopher in the episode.
Honoring Sacrifices
The final section of the museum is a chapel to honor four men who died in 1943. Christopher explained, “It's dedicated to the four chaplains that were on the USAT Dorchester. They gave away their life vests trying to save some lives.” He continued, “They were just south of Iceland… The ship got hit because the U-boat actually attacked from behind the convoy. And the ship he was aiming at was so shallow, the torpedoes went under it and hit the Dorchester, which had a deeper craft.”
The four chaplains assisted other soldiers with life jackets before giving away their own gloves and life jackets. Finally, they sacrificed their own lives. The chaplains' names are John Washington, Alexander Good, George Fox, and Clark Polling. In 1945, they were each awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross. They've also been honored through a commemorative stamp, and in 1948, Congress set aside every February 3rd as Four Chaplains Day.
Planning Your Visit
The Museum of 20th Century Warfare is an incredible resource for teachers, students, military history lovers, veterans, and their families. This museum would be especially helpful for field trips where a class could go in depth about any wars in the last century.
The museum is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the spring and fall and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer. Christopher said with special arrangements they can make time for a midweek visit, so feel free to reach out.
Plus, they’d love volunteers in any capacity as they continue to inventory and catalog their considerable military archives and donations. If you haven't visited yet, be sure you stop in to learn about and honor the men and women who protected our country.
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