The Kansas National Guard Museum is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Kansas National Guard and honoring the memories of the soldiers and airmen who, for over 145 years, have served Kansas and the United States whenever the call was made.
Within the Museum walls, the weapons, uniforms and other artifacts carried or worn by Kansas Guardsmen from the Civil War to the Gulf War are proudly displayed. These artifacts paint a picture of the Kansas citizen-soldier from the early and bloody days of the birth of our state, to today?s Guard mission in a highly volatile and dangerous world.
Visitors can see displays of arms and equipment, including a collection of small arms weapons used by Kansas Guardmen and their enemies throughout history. Specific display cases have been set up for the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion in World War II, the 69th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam, as well as several other Army and Air National Guard units.
A mock Civil War encampment, complete with artillery, provides a view of camp life in the 1860s, giving the visitor a glimpse of the uniforms and equipment used by the thousands of Kansas who volunteered for combat during the Civil War.
Weapons and other artifacts from the Spanish American War are also presented, including actual items from the famous 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment, led by the heroic Medal of Honor recipient, Colonel Frederick Funston of Iola, Kansas.
The displays span the 145-year history of the organization, and includes artifacts from virtually every conflict from the Civil War to the more recent peacekeeping actions in Bosnia.
Surrounding the Museum building, visitors can see static displays of military equipment including an M60 tank (previously-used by the Kansas Army National Guard), an 8 inch self-propelled howitzer (capable of firing Nuclear rounds), a variety of helicopters, including an OH-58 Bell Kiowa, an OH-6 Loach from the Silver Eagles (the U.S.Army?s answer to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds), an AH-1 Cobra, the powerful CH-54 Skycrane, and various other equipment.
Throughout the year, occasional outdoor events are held in the area behind the Museum, including Civil War reenactments, youth events, and Kansas National Guard reunions.rn rn
