Museum of the Horse Soldier

Incorporated in 2013, Museum of the Horse Soldier is one of a few museums dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. Military’s mounted services. Visitors to The Museum can explore the history of U.S. horse soldiers and their roles in times of peace and conflict during the 18th – 21st centuries. The Museum of the Horse Soldier offers a unique opportunity to discover and explore military history through informative and engaging exhibits, featuring many rare and one-of-a-kind artifacts. The Museum’s building was originally home to Diamond X feed store as well as the first location for Tucson’s Gaslight Theater. The building later became a studio for local artist Dan Bates, where he created many bronze sculptures. It was here that Mr. Bates housed his collection of military artifacts, historical wagons, and other antiques. His personal collection was the inspiration for the Museum of the Horse Soldier. The Museum of the Horse Soldier continually has over 2,000 objects on display. Displays are periodically changed, allowing visitors to see different items from our larger collection. The Museum also houses an expanding archival collection including historic photos and paper ephemera items. The Museum’s archive is available to researchers by appointment. The Museum’s evolving exhibits and quality interpretations make each visit a new experience. We hope this web site will inspire you to learn more about this remarkable part of our nation’s history. We look forward to your visit!