Fort Lewis Museum
Encyclopedia
The Fort Lewis Military Museum (also known as the "Lewis Army Museum") is a military
museum
at Fort Lewis
in the state of Washington, U.S. It is housed in the historic former Red Shield Inn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) and can be seen prominently from Interstate 5
. It is the only certified U.S. Army
museum on the West Coast
.
Established in 1971, the museum was originally housed in a two-story barracks. In July 1973, it was moved to the old Fort Lewis Inn.
Inside the museum are approximately 10000 square feet (929 m²) of interior displays of various collections of uniforms
and equipment, including "Soldiers of the Northwest", I Corps, the 9th Infantry Division, the Medical Corps
, and "The Army Family". Outside, on 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²), in the Vehicle Park, are a collection of tanks, jeeps, and other military vehicle
s, along with weapon
s, including a Nike-Hercules Missile
and an Honest John rocket.
The current curator
is a Mr. Alan Archambault of Rhode Island.
, the museum is closed for renovation until early 2012.
era, when the present Fort Lewis was "Camp Lewis". It is the only remaining structure from a onetime recreational area that was called Greene Park.
The building, in Western Stick–style, was built in 1918 by Pratt & Watson Construction Co. of Spokane, Washington
, for the Salvation Army
, at a cost of $
107,000. It was named the Red Shield Inn, based on the Salvation Army symbol
. It was 47966 square feet (4,456.2 m²) in size and had approximately 150 rooms. The Salvation Army sold it to the U.S. Army on July 21, 1921, for the nominal price of one dollar. It was briefly known as the Camp Lewis Apartments, then the Camp Lewis Inn, and from 1927 the Fort Lewis Inn.
In August 1972, after the new Fort Lewis Lodge opened near the Main Post Headquarters, the building was preserved to become the new home for the fort's museum. The inn officially became the Fort Lewis Military Museum on July 18, 1973. It gained its NRHP listing in February 1979.
File:FLMM - Viet Cong sandals.jpg|Vietnamese sandals made from recycled tire treads displayed at Fort Lewis Military Museum
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
at Fort Lewis
Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
in the state of Washington, U.S. It is housed in the historic former Red Shield Inn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP) and can be seen prominently from Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
. It is the only certified U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
museum on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
.
Established in 1971, the museum was originally housed in a two-story barracks. In July 1973, it was moved to the old Fort Lewis Inn.
Inside the museum are approximately 10000 square feet (929 m²) of interior displays of various collections of uniforms
Military uniform
Military uniforms comprises standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military dress and military styles have gone through great changes over the centuries from colourful and elaborate to extremely utilitarian...
and equipment, including "Soldiers of the Northwest", I Corps, the 9th Infantry Division, the Medical Corps
Medical Corps (United States Army)
The Medical Corps of the U.S. Army is a staff corps of the U.S. Army Medical Department consisting of commissioned medical officers – physicians with either an MD or a DO degree, at least one year of post-graduate clinical training, and a state medical license.The MC traces its earliest origins...
, and "The Army Family". Outside, on 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²), in the Vehicle Park, are a collection of tanks, jeeps, and other military vehicle
Military vehicle
A military vehicle is a vehicle that includes all land combat and transportation vehicles, which are designed for or are in significant use by military forces throughout the world. Vehicles that are armored or intended for combat are often referred to as armoured fighting vehicles....
s, along with weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s, including a Nike-Hercules Missile
Nike-Hercules Missile
The MIM-14 Nike-Hercules , was a solid fuel propelled two-stage surface-to-air missile, used by US and NATO armed forces for high- and medium-altitude air defense...
and an Honest John rocket.
The current curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
is a Mr. Alan Archambault of Rhode Island.
, the museum is closed for renovation until early 2012.
Red Shield Inn
The Red Shield Inn is one of two surviving Fort Lewis buildings that date back to the World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
era, when the present Fort Lewis was "Camp Lewis". It is the only remaining structure from a onetime recreational area that was called Greene Park.
The building, in Western Stick–style, was built in 1918 by Pratt & Watson Construction Co. of Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, for the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, at a cost of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
107,000. It was named the Red Shield Inn, based on the Salvation Army symbol
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
. It was 47966 square feet (4,456.2 m²) in size and had approximately 150 rooms. The Salvation Army sold it to the U.S. Army on July 21, 1921, for the nominal price of one dollar. It was briefly known as the Camp Lewis Apartments, then the Camp Lewis Inn, and from 1927 the Fort Lewis Inn.
In August 1972, after the new Fort Lewis Lodge opened near the Main Post Headquarters, the building was preserved to become the new home for the fort's museum. The inn officially became the Fort Lewis Military Museum on July 18, 1973. It gained its NRHP listing in February 1979.
Gallery
File:FLMM - Viet Cong sandals.jpg|Vietnamese sandals made from recycled tire treads displayed at Fort Lewis Military Museum
External links
- Lewis Army Museum webpage. Joint Base Lewis-McChord official website
- The Story of the Red Shield Inn. Lewis Army Museum webpage. Joint Base Lewis-McChord official website
- The Friends of the Fort Lewis Military Museum website