Brittany L. Morgan
2110 New South Post Rd., West Point, NY 10996
845-938-3590 * www.usma.edu/museum
Open Daily 10:30am-4:15pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day
Admission is free. Photo ID required for entry.
West Point Museum is the Nation’s oldest and largest military museum with collections encompassing all aspects of Military History. The museum offers a taste of the over 60,000 Army historical artifacts that inspire and educate individuals on a daily basis. The holdings of the West Point Museum are displayed not only within the Museum’s walls at Pershing Center, but throughout the United States Military Academy at West Point’s buildings and grounds.
Before you arrive
Before you visit, here are a few words that you should be familiar with. You will hear them a lot at West Point Museum.
- Cadet: A young trainee in the armed services.
- Medal of Honor: The highest US military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
- Fort Putnam: Established in 1778 as a Revolutionary War fort. It was built on Crown Hill at West Point to protect Fort Clinton from a land attack.
- Artillery: Any engine used for the discharge of large projectiles in war.
- Bayonet: A knife, sword, or spiked-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over, or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket, or similar weapon.
- Musket: A muzzle-loaded, smoothbore firearm, fired from the shoulder. They were originally designed for use by infantry.
- Infantry: The branch of a military force that fights on foot.
- Citadel: A fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city. Also the Military College of South Carolina.
- Fort: A fortified building, an army post and strategic position.
While you are at West Point Museum
While you’re at West Point Museum, pick up their Museum Treasure Hunt available at the DUSA Gift Shop. Your kids will have a blast searching for each treasure shown on the map in exhibit cases. Once you have completed your search through all six galleries, bring your completed treasure hunt map into the DUSA Gift Shop and receive a special treasure for becoming an educated adventurer!
When you go home
Now that you and your children know all about West Point and the US military, why not show your appreciation by sending a letter to a soldier! Have your child hand-write a thoughtful note and share some of the interesting things learned while at West Point Museum. Once your child has finished the letter, head over to one of the following sites to see how you can send your letter: