What to do and see in Alabama, United States: The Best Military Museums

When acquiring the home and stating its purpose, John T. Oliver, Jr., past President and founding Board Member of Walker Area Community Foundation said "It has long been our belief that our town needed a proper place to display and recognize our rich heritage, as well as a place to host cultural events. This colonial revival home - when restored to its original dignity provides just such a venue.

Located in Huntsville Alabama, The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum is one of the premier military museums in the world. The exhibits of memorabilia, artifacts, and military equipment range from the American Revolutionary War to present day. Included in the collection are many rare and important artifacts including the oldest surviving jeep: the Ford Pygmy.

At Mobile’s Battleship Memorial Park, you don’t have to look very far to find heroes. From the Battleship USS ALABAMA to the Submarine USS DRUM and over 25 aircraft, the spirit of military pride is alive and well.Aboard the battleship you will be able to explore 12 decks. Among those, you can climb inside gun turrets, get locked in the Brig, man a 12mm gun and much more.Also at the park, you will be able to go below and explore inside the oldest Submarine on display, Submarine USS DRUM. In the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion as well as in the park, you will be able to view many rare and historic aircraft. A few in our collection include: A-12 Blackbird Spy Plane, OS2U Kingfisher, F-86L Sabre Jet, B-52 Bomber, just to name a few. While in the pavilion, don’t forget to take a ride on the Flight Simulator and experience flight without ever leaving the ground. It’s an unforgettable experience for the entire family. All tours are self guided. Allow approx. 2.5 hours.

The U.S. Army Aviation Museum maintains a collection of over 160 military aircraft, including one of the largest collections of military helicopters in the world. Approximately 50 beautifully restored, historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft, are proudly displayed both inside the Museum's 70,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on the Museum's grounds. The collection includes many significant examples of early research efforts and developments in rotary wing technology and the evolution of the helicopter. Our public galleries represent the Army's involvement in military aviation from the beginning days with the Wright brothers and the early combat aircraft of World War I, up to the highly technological machines such as the AH-64 Apache and the UH-60 Blackhawk flown by Army Aviators today.

The American Village builds good citizens on the cornerstone of liberty. The American Village is a nationally-pioneering classroom and American history and civics education center that engages and inspires 35,000-40,000 students annually from Alabama and Southeastern states in experience-based academic programs related to American history, civics and government. Students “step into history” and discover the power and drama of America’s journey for independence, liberty, and self-government. The American Village is embarked on a journey to expand the number of students served on-campus to 100,000 each year, drawing school and youth groups from throughout the Nation. On the cornerstone of liberty, the American Village educates and inspires young people to: Know America’s history — the stories of our country’s legacy of liberty and those in every generation who have secured it Cherish the ideals of liberty — the founding principles on which our Nation, the Constitution, institutions of American self-government, and our civic responsibilities are based Serve our country as good citizens and leaders — all as stewards of liberty Remembering the Price of Liberty The timeless lesson of liberty is that freedom is not free. The American Village tells the compelling stories of not only America’s legacy of liberty, but of those in every generation who have served and sacrificed for that cause. Adjoining the hallowed ground of the Alabama National Cemetary, which will become the final resting place for almost 200,000 veterans, the American Village has been designated by public law as the Veterans Living Legacy. This campus is dedicated to honoring America’s veterans and their service and sacrifice for the cause of liberty. The American Village is preparing to engage and inspire 150,000 visitors each year to remember and honor our veterans and active military. The National Veterans Shrine uses multimedia to engage visitors in the stories of liberty and sacrifice, from generation to generation. It houses the Veterans Register of Honor which presents the names, photographs, and biographies of tens of thousands of veterans, living and dead, who have served our country. The Freedom Trail includes a replica of Concord's Old North Bridge, evoking the "shot heard 'round the world" and will include a Field of Honor representing soils taken from the blood-stained battlefields where brave Americans have served their country and the cause of freedom. The Trail will enable young and old alike to experience America’s journey for independence and freedom, especially remembering the cost of liberty. It will serve as an interpretive gateway adjoining the 490-acre National Veterans Cemetery, truly transforming these consecrated places into the “Arlington of the Southeast.” Cherishing the Constitution and America’s Charters of Freedom Our country faces growing national amnesia of the constitutional foundations of our freedom and self-government. On most school days at the American Village students step into roles as delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. They discover a remarkable document that begins with the words "We the People..." They gaze at the "Rising Sun Chair" and perhaps realize that individually as citizens and leaders they will help decide whether the sun is still a rising sun for our country. The American Village aims to broaden and enhance the impact of its programs based on the Constitution and America's Charters of Freedom. The centerpiece of this facility and educational program expansion will be Independence Hall and Congress Hall Classrooms. Inspired by America's Independence Hall and adjoining Congress Hall of Philadelphia, the American Village's expansion will be an extraordinary setting for both student and public programs with a compelling focus on America's great Charters of Freedom: The Declaration of Independence The United States Constitution The Bill of Rights These documents are more than historic relics on old parchment. They represent what Jefferson called "the creed of our political faith; the text of civic instruction." They remain our Nation's fundamental principles that "secure the blessings of liberty" to this and future generations.

Colonial Mobile sits on the site of a historic fort built in the early 1700's and celebrates our French, Spanish, British, and American heritage. While visiting the Fort be sure to visit the Trading Post, Colonial Photo Booth, Breakout Room, and shooting gallery. You will also have a chance to tour the interactive exhibits that highlight the history of the Fort. Don’t miss the live action characters representing real people who lived in Colonial Mobile. Visit our website to see all of the fun and exciting items available on the day of your visit. Open seven days a week 9am-5pm.