National Museum of Military Vehicles

National Museum of Military Vehicles
M4 Medium Tank on display at the National Museum of Military Vehicles
National Museum of Military Vehicles is located in the United States
National Museum of Military Vehicles
Location within the United States
Established2020 (2020)[1][2]
Location6419 US Highway 26 Dubois, Wyoming 82513
Coordinates43°28′24.61″N 109°29′46.43″W / 43.4735028°N 109.4962306°W / 43.4735028; -109.4962306
TypeMilitary history museum
FounderDan Starks [1][2]
Public transit accessNo
Websitewww.nmmv.org

The National Museum of Military Vehicles is a military history museum in Dubois, Wyoming.[3][2]

Established in 2020, the 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m2) museum was founded by Dan and Cynthia Starks and built between May 2017 and August 2020.[4] More than 500 military vehicles and a significant firearms collection are on display at the museum along with other artifacts.[4] Starks, a former lawyer and medical industry CEO, funded the $100 million museum.[5][6]

Items on display include hardware ranging from the Spanish American War up until the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001-2021).[7] The museum contains four main galleries and an outdoor "Wall of Reflection".[1]

A second major building on campus, The Poolaw Building, opened in September 2022. The building is named after First Lieutenant Pascal C. Poolaw Sr.,[8] who served with the United States Army in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He is the United States' most decorated Native American, with 42 medals and citations, including four Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars, as well as three Purple Hearts – one for each war.

The tour begins in the Unknown Soldiers Weapons Vault, whose main attraction is the rifle used to fire the first shots at the Battle of Bunker Hill.[9] Guests will also find the Karl Smith collection - a world-class, extensive review of U.S. bayonets, muskets and swords; an Assembly Room with high-tech audio and video and seating for up to 500; The Canteen, a restaurant for guests;[5] a commercial kitchen and administrative offices.

In 2023, the National Museum of Military Vehicles has received awards such as the TripAdvisor "Traveler's Choice" award for two years in a row[10] and has received increased media coverage.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "About Page". National Museum of Military Vehicles. Archived from the original on 22 Jan 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Maidl, Abby (Aug 9, 2020). "National Museum of Military Vehicles debuts this weekend". KGWN. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Perez, Nate (April 30, 2020). "Dubois man turns private collection into sprawling military vehicle museum". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Sniffin, Bill (Aug 4, 2019). "Massive military museum under construction near Dubois". Cowboy State Daily. Archived from the original on Nov 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Kerby, Drew (October 31, 2022). "Have You Seen Wyoming's Museum of Military Vehicles? Read More: Have You Seen Wyoming's Museum of Military Vehicles?". KGAB AM650. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  6. ^ Morrison, Geoffrey. "So Long and Tanks for All the Tanks: Touring the Museum of Military Vehicles". CNET. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  7. ^ Kudelska, Kamila (Dec 11, 2020). "National Museum Of Military Vehicles Hopes To Portray American Freedom". Wyoming Public Media. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Pascal Poolaw", Wikipedia, 2022-05-17, retrieved 2022-11-14
  9. ^ Meltzer, Matt (2023-09-14). "The National Museum of Military Vehicles Is Worth Your Vacation Time". Hook & Barrel Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  10. ^ "National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois receives national awards". Wyoming Public Media. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  11. ^ "Tanks and Treads: Look Inside the National Museum of Military Vehicles". CNET. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
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