Lewis Army Museum
Located at 4320 Main St. and, Constitution Dr, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433. In the former Red Shield Inn at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Lewis Army Museum is the only certified US Army museum on the west coast. It is dedicated to preserving the history of Fort Lewis and its role in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum also aims to educate the public about the history of the United States Army. The Museum features an outstanding collection of uniforms, weapons, and artifacts associated with Fort Lewis. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week with prior coordination, except federal holidays.
During the World War I era, Fort Lewis served as an Army base. It was the only induction center for soldiers on the West Coast. The base eventually became the largest military base in the United States, and today it is a major strategic Army-Air Force installation. It is also home to the Boeing Museum of Flight. In addition, there are several museums located in the area. Some of them include the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum, the Puget Sound Navy Museum, the Washington State History Museum, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Washington National Guard Museum.
The Lewis Army Museum will celebrate its grand reopening during the annual Living History Weekend on August 4 and 5. During the weekend, visitors can enjoy historical displays of military vehicles, live historical displays, and a range of other activities. All are free to attend. The Museum will also offer a wide range of merchandise for purchase.
The Museum features displays of military artifacts, photographs, documents, and dioramas. There are also numerous outdoor exhibits. These include a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, an amphibious landing craft, and dozens of vehicles. The Museum also has a large collection of retired military equipment. In addition, the Museum has a planetarium.
The Red Shield Inn was built by Pratt and Watson Construction Company in 1918. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is situated off Interstate 5 near the Dupont-Steilacoom Road exit. It is one of two remaining buildings from the World War I era in Fort Lewis.
The Lewis Army Museum was originally established as the Fort Lewis Military Museum, but it is now the Lewis Army Museum. The former Red Shield Inn is also home to the post military museum. The museum is open to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The post military museum is free and open to the public without a visitor’s pass.
The Lewis Army Museum is part of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord complex, which includes Camp Lewis, an Army component. The base is located in Washington State near Tacoma. The base has approximately 16,000 civilian employees, including the military. It has an annual economic impact estimated at $8.3 billion to $9.2 billion, and could be higher with retiree spending. Learn more
The Lewis Army Museum is located at Exit 120 of Interstate 5 in Washington. It is located between Tacoma and Olympia. There is a parking lot at the Museum. The museum is free to visit, but visitors must have a driver’s license. They also must have proof of insurance. Visitors are escorted to the Museum and will return to the parking lot at the end of their visit. Next article