Illinois State Military Museum

Illinois State Military Museum The mission of the Illinois State Military Museum is to preserve and exhibit the military heritage of the Illinois National Guard.
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09/04/2026

The museum will be closed tomorrow, Saturday, September 5th, due to mechanical issues

Join us Saturday, September 12th, for the military vehicle show 10am-4pm!! You can see all the new construction happenin...
09/03/2026

Join us Saturday, September 12th, for the military vehicle show 10am-4pm!!

You can see all the new construction happening too!

Tucked away in a small case in the World War One section of the museum’s displays is a brass circular flask captured fro...
09/01/2026

Tucked away in a small case in the World War One section of the museum’s displays is a brass circular flask captured from a German soldier. Painted on a red leather insert on the front of the flask is the legend “Du Werst mein Trost in truben Stunde, das hab ich als Soldat empfunden”, which can be loosely translated as “You are my comfort in the dark hours that I feel as a soldier.” The silver cap is surmounted by a black Prussian eagle figure and there is a tri-colored suspension cord attached. One can imagine the owner taking a sip of schnaps or French wine to soothe his nerves before going into battle or passing the flask to his comrades sheltering in a dugout during an artillery bombardment. This is a typical example of the kind of personal items that many soldiers carry with them to make their service a bit more comfortable.

It has been 120 years since Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt personally visited Camp Lincoln on August 30, 1901. Durin...
08/30/2026

It has been 120 years since Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt personally visited Camp Lincoln on August 30, 1901. During the troop inspection, the adventurous Vice President spurred his horse into a fast gallop down the formation, leaving local politicians struggling to keep pace.
Two weeks later Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President after William McKinley was assassinated.

08/28/2026

The Museum will be closed today, August 28th, due to maintenance

We have heard your many requests! The long awaited return of the leg is happening for the brief period of October to De...
08/27/2026

We have heard your many requests! The long awaited return of the leg is happening for the brief period of October to December 2026.

Progress is happening!! Walls are up and they are starting on the tresses.
08/25/2026

Progress is happening!! Walls are up and they are starting on the tresses.

Lt. Col. Sherwood Dixon commanded the 129th Infantry Regiment of the 33rd Infantry Division in 1941 when it was called t...
08/20/2026

Lt. Col. Sherwood Dixon commanded the 129th Infantry Regiment of the 33rd Infantry Division in 1941 when it was called to active duty. However when they were sent to the Pacific Theater in WWII, Dixon was over the age of 45 and not permitted to deploy. That did not stop him from being given another command to train and prepare for deployment. He was given the 3rd Battalion of the 442nd Infantry Regiment comprised of Japanese Americans mostly from the Hawaiian Islands.

The photo is of Lt. Col. Dixon with his leadership team and the rest of the 3rd Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment. Again the unit deployed to the European Theater without Dixon. His efforts to prepare them paid off as the 442nd Regiment become the most decorated unit in the history of American warfare, earning over 4,000 Purple Hearts, eight Presidential Unit Citations (five in one month), and twenty-one of its members were awarded Medals of Honor.

Dixon's career continued to progress as he was assigned to work for General Marshall in the Office of the Chief of Staff, in Washington DC. Dixon remained close to the members of the 442nd even after his retirement.

The Illinois Naval Militia used this telescopic alidade. It is made by Kollmorgen Optica Corporation in 1944. An alida...
08/18/2026

The Illinois Naval Militia used this telescopic alidade. It is made by Kollmorgen Optica Corporation in 1944. An alidade is a device that allows one to sight a distant object whereas a sextant is a complete navigational instrument that uses a specialized alidade. This equipment allows sailors to plot their and other vessels positions.

Come see us at the Illinois State Fair this Friday and Saturday. We will have a few medals to see and some uniforms to ...
08/15/2026

Come see us at the Illinois State Fair this Friday and Saturday. We will have a few medals to see and some uniforms to try on for the kids. Get a set of dog tags for $10!!

Address

1301 N MacArthur Boulevard
Springfield, IL
62702

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 1pm - 4:30pm
Friday 1pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12177613910

Website

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