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The
Patton Museum
of Cavalry and Armor
Whenever
the world's armor museums are discussed, the Patton Museum of
Cavalry and Armor at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, is always at the center
of the conversation. The museum is one of the best maintained
facilities in the world. The museum's quality galleries feature
a variety of exhibits of armored vehicles, weapons and other artifacts
which show the development of armored warfare and mechanization
through the years.
The
museum's mission is to preserve historical material that relates
to armored fighting vehicles and mechanization through the ages
and to make this material available to the military, the public
and research and development organizations. Military personnel
in training with the Armor School are frequent visitors to the
museum as part of their training. The museum is under the administration
of the U.S. Army Armor Center at Ft. Knox and is considered one
of the best in the U.S. Army Museum System.
The
Patton Museum started from humble beginnings in an old indoor
firing range building dedicated on May 30, 1949. The modern complex
seen today began in 1972 when the first of several stages was
built. Between then and 1992, new sections have been added without
a penny of taxpayer money being used, as all funding has come
from the Patton Museum Foundation through funds donated by individuals
and organizations from around the world.
Among
the many galleries inside the museum, the Patton Gallery
shows personal items owned, used or collected by General Patton
during his lifetime, including the automobile in which he suffered
his fatal injury. The museum also contains the
Emert L. "Red" Davis Memorial Library which
contains reference materials that relate to armored warfare, vehicles
and weapons that are available to armor school students and researchers
with prior notice.
The
museum is open with free admission to the public. It operates
year-round on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on holidays
and weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The only time it is
closed is on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day,
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. On rare occassions the museum's
schedule has been altered to accommodate needs and concerns on
post. Please check with museum staff before visiting to ensure
nothing has changed in the museum's schedule.
NOTE:
A new entrance to a secure parking area near the museum has been
created from U.S. 31. This entrance allows visitors access only
to the museum without entering the base and checkpoints. Because
of the security measures taken since September 11, 2001, all adults
entering any other Ft. Knox gate checkpoint must present a valid
picture I.D. and, depending on threat levels, vehicles may be
searched.
By
clicking on the links to the left, you will be able to view some
of the vehicles and weapons in the museum's collection, access
news and learn of special events and other points of interest.
Also, check out the Patton Museum Volunteers section to learn
about the volunteer program and the ongoing projects and yearly
reenactments.
For
more information about the Patton Museum, contact: knox.museum@conus.army.mil
For
questions or comments on this web site and its contents, contact:
garryredmon338@hotmail.com
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