Indoor and outdoor exhibits depict the stories and contributions of Minnesotans who served in all branches of our nation’s armed forces—in times of peace and war, from our early frontier years, through the twentieth century, to today’s worldwide deployments.

PERMANENT EXHIBITS 

• America at War – The causes, conduct, and consequences of America’s major wars since Minnesota statehood in 1858.  Warfare is neither glorified nor downplayed here, but you’re sure to gain a deeper appreciation for the achievements and sacrifices of those who fought.

• State Forces – The story of Minnesota’s state armed forces—most notably the National Guard—from pre-Civil War militia days to the present.

• Forts on the Frontier – How Minnesota’s early forts and garrisons kept the peace and aided settlement on our early frontier.  Special attention is given to Fort Ripley, a U.S. Army outpost on the Mississippi River that existed 1849-1877 within the boundaries of present-day Camp Ripley. 

• The Arms Room – The development of military small arms in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  Pistols and revolvers, rifles and carbines, sub-machine guns, machine guns, edged weapons, ammunition, and more.

• Honors – A tribute to Minnesotans who received the Medal of Honor, plus military decorations past and present.

• Story of the Jeep – The fabled American military Jeep and Minnesota’s role in its development.  Six representative models are on display, from early World War II until phase-out in the 1980s.  Open summers only.

OUTDOOR EXHIBITS

Vehicles, tanks, aircraft, artillery, etc. are on display throughout the museum grounds.  Step inside a rare 40 & 8 boxcar used to transport American troops and horses in France during WWI (presented to the citizens of Minnesota as a gift from the citizens of France following WWII), or inspect one of those ubiquitous Camp Ripley “tin huts,” outfitted c. 1965.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

Temporary exhibits on changing topics:

• Minnesota's Two Civil Wars: 1861-1866 (through August 2015)  Learn more. 
• Norwegian-Americans and the 99^th Infantry Bn (Sep) during World War Two (open-ended) 
• Women in the Military (open ended)  
• History of the Minnesota-based 34^th “Red Bull” Infantry Division, 1917-Present
(through August 2014)

Of Related Interest: A Video on Conserving Minnesota's Civil War Flags