Ever wonder what it is like to stand alongside an actual World War II tank? Or gaze directly into the cockpit of a Cold War-era war machine? At the National Museum of Military Vehicles, this isn’t history it’s horsepower, armor, and unadulterated legacy right in front of you. From the sound of a Sherman to the haunting shadow of a D-Day jeep, this is where war heroes don’t rest… they speak their tale.
Beneath the rolling hills of rural Dubois, Wyoming, this goliath of a museum debuted in 2020 with the imagination of Dan Starks, a guy who has a very serious passion for things military and an earnest interest in honoring veterans appropriately. He did not set out to build another museum. He set out to create a space where people could feel the weight of sacrifice, the tenacity of equipment, and the silence that follows conflict. And honestly? Succeeded.
Read more: Top 3 Military Vehicle Museums to Visit
What Can You Find Inside the National Museum of Military Vehicles?
Step inside, and you’re not just entering a museum you’re walking into a massive, living archive of American military history. This place isnt about dusty old displays. It’s about power & precision, sacrifice, and the machines that carried it all. Lets take a full tour through what makes this museum a must visit for anyone who loves history, engineering, or just a good war story.
Key Attractions at the National Museum of Military Vehicles
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicles Collection | Over 200 restored tanks, transporters, and amphibious vehicles spanning WWII to modern conflicts. |
| Firearms Collection | One of America’s largest private collections of military firearms, from muskets to automatic rifles. |
| Immersive Exhibits | Interactive tank interiors, touch displays, war footage, and veteran interviews. |
| Restoration Workshop | See experts restoring vehicles and equipment live. |
| Medal of Honor Gallery | Stories and artifacts honoring America’s most decorated heroes. |
1. The Vehicles: Steel Giants of the Battlefield
Let’s start with the showstoppers the military vehicles themselves. The museum is home to over 200 fully restored military vehicles, making it one of the most complete collections in the world.
Here’s what you’ll see:
World War II armor like the M4 Sherman, M5 Stuart, and M26 Pershing
Vietnam-era tanks and transporters
Modern-day armored vehicles used in Iraq and Afghanistan
Jeeps, half-tracks, deuce-and-a-halfs, and even amphibious landing craft from D-Day
2. Firearms Collection: From Flintlocks to M16s
If you’re into small arms, this museum will blow your mind. With over 200 historically significant weapons, it holds one of the largest privately-owned collections of military firearms in the USA.
Expect to see:
Revolutionary War muskets and Civil War rifles
Iconic pieces like the M1 Garand, Thompson submachine gun, and M1911 pistol
Sniper rifles, sidearms, and automatic weapons from the 20th century
A detailed timeline of firearm evolution, showing how combat tech advanced over decades
3.Uniforms, Gear & Personal Artifacts
Beyond the machines, the museum brings you closer to the human side of war. Exhibits feature real gear that soldiers wore, carried, and lived with:
Combat uniforms, helmets, and badges from different eras
Personal items like letters from home, rations, journals, and medals
Captured enemy gear from WWII and Cold War conflicts
Stories from individual soldiers their missions, sacrifices, and lives beyond the battlefield
4.Education, Interaction & Immersive Exhibits
This museum was built to teach, not just show. That’s why it’s filled with interactive experiences that take you beyond the display glass:
Sit in a real tank, look through scopes, touch restored interiors
Watch real war footage in immersive mini-theaters
Use touchscreen maps to explore battlefield strategy
Hear radio recordings, field orders, and veteran interviews
5.Restoration Zone: Bringing History Back to Life
One of the coolest features? The museum shows you how these machines are restored. You can peek inside the open restoration workshop and watch experts strip down rusted giants, replace parts, and rebuild history piece by piece.
6. The Hall of Honor & Medal of Honor Gallery
At the heart of the museum lies something quieter, but even more powerful a tribute to the people behind the machines.
The Wall of Honor recognizes U.S. veterans across all branches
The Medal of Honor Gallery tells the stories of extraordinary bravery with photos, real medals, and personal artifacts
It’s a space to reflect, respect, and remember
7. Special Exhibits & Events
There’s always something new going on. The museum regularly hosts:
Temporary exhibits on specific battles or technology
Veteran guest talks and live demonstrations
Military vehicle parades and reenactments during special events
Why the National Museum of Military Vehicles Is Collector Heaven
For collectors and military history lovers, walking into the National Museum of Military Vehicles is like stepping into the world you’ve always imagined but real, loud, and larger than life. This isn’t just a place to look at pretty displays. It’s a place where details matter. Where the wear on a canvas strap, the curve of a trigger guard, or the faded stencil on the side of a gas can tells the story. You don’t just see military history here you read it, interpret it, and connect it to the items that you already possess or hope to discover one day.
Every artifact in the museum whether it’s a restored Sherman tank, a well-worn field jacket, or a rack of original WWII firearms is the real deal. And for collectors, that means one thing: reference. There’s no better way to sharpen your eye than to stand next to the originals. You notice the textures, the aging, the manufacturing marks that separate authentic from fake. You learn things here you just can’t learn online. And suddenly, that item sitting in your garage or on your shelf back home? It starts to tell a bigger story.
What makes it even cooler is how intimate you can get. No glass walls as thick as the defenses of an ancient fortress. No excessively sanitized displays. You can view the nuts and bolts, the weld joints, the paint flakes from years past. It’s like it’s personal. Almost as if you’re strolling through someone’s gargantuan, very well-documented private collection except that this particular one just so happens to be one of the most intact and well-schooled collections in the nation.
So whether you re collecting helmets & restoring vehicles, trading rifles, or just obsessed with the feeling of holding history in your hands, this museum fuels your passion in a way few places can. It reminds you why you collect in the first place. And more than anything It shows you what’s possible when preservation meets obsession the good kind.
Final Thoughts
The National Museum of Military Vehicles is more than just a tank staring affair. It’s where history is alive where every dented helmet, charred uniform, and rumbling engine speaks for itself and needs to be heard. Whether you are an old time collector, a war enthusiast, or just someone who’s drawn to the heritage of those who served, this museum gives you something more than information it gives you connection. To the gear. To the people. And to the experience that shaped the world we live in today.
And if you walk out of there feeling inspired don’t be surprised. That’s what this place does to you. It makes you want to own a piece of that story. To bring part of that legacy home. That’s exactly where miltrade comes in. It’s a space built by and for collectors, where you can find authentic military artifacts, buy or sell gear from World Wars and beyond, and keep the history going one piece at a time.
Because history doesn’t belong behind glass. It belongs in your hands. And we’re here to make that happen.
FAQs
In what way is the National Museum of Military Vehicles different from other museums?
This museum is different from most static displays in that it lets you get up close and personalwith tanks, weapons, and artifacts. You can climb aboard vehicles, watch restorations, and even hear the sound of the engines revving at special events.
Will collectors be able to make use of the museum to learn about authenticity?
Absolutely. If you‘re a car collector or a gear collector, this is one of the best places to find information about things you won‘t find on the web—like aging, weld lines, or original finishes. Facilities like Miltrade also help collectors apply that knowledge to buying and selling authentic products with confidence.
Do interactive children’s and family programs exist?
Yes, there are interactive tours, touchscreen maps, and family exhibits that make history come alive for younger people.
Does the museum host live demonstrations?
It does. Throughout the year, youll find vehicle parades, reenactments and veteran talks that bring history roaring to life.
How does Miltrade connect to the experience?
After visiting the museum, many people feel inspired to collect. Miltrade is the perfect marketplace to find authentic military artifacts, connect with other enthusiasts, and keep that passion alive.
