“the Army's second oldest museum”
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is the Army’s second oldest museum. It first opened to the public on July 4, 1905. The primary mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island. By focusing on “People, Processes, and Products,” the exhibits tell the story of the people involved in Arsenal Island’s history, the manufacturing processes used at Rock Island Arsenal, and the military equipment that was produced at Rock Island Arsenal. The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is nationally recognized for its large and impressive small arms collection. Over twelve hundred U.S., foreign, civilian, and military small arms are on permanent display.
Great place
They also have one of several remaining Atomic Cannons
It is known as the M65 280mm which carried the W9 warhead a 15 kiloton shell. This is one of seven remain atomic cannons around the country out of 20 that were built.
They are located
1. Fort Sill Oklahoma. The original one
2 Army Ordinance Museum Aberdeen MD
3 National Museum of Nuclear Science & history Albuquerque NM
4. Freedom Park Junction City Kansas
5. Rock Island Arsenal Memorial Field Rock Island Illinois
6. Watervliet Arsenal Museum Watervliet New York
7. Yuma Proving Grounds Yuma Az
Plus a prototype at the Virginia War Museum Newport News which is a prototype at 240mm
The first and only test firing was on May 25, 1953 at the Nevada Test Site.
The cost to produce each weapon was reported to be $800,000
They did see Service in Europe and Korea but were basically obsolete soon after entering service. Due out Ballistic Missile systems
Gun lovers' dream!! So many different guns all in one place with lots of history plus it is free admission :)
It was a great museum for gun lover, History and War history lovers. It isn't located where the map shows it though :-/
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Rock Island Arsenal
Hours
- Tue - Sat: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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