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