Rock Island Arsenal Museum – Rock Island, Illinois
established on July 4, 1905 they are the are the second oldest US Army Museum in the United States.
Thier mission is to preserve and display the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island. The secondary mission is to preserve and display the history of small arms development.
Arsenal Island was home to a Confederate prison camp, the Rock Island Prison Barracks. The camp was operational from December 1863 to July 1865. Incomplete records exist concerning the 12,192 prisoners that were held here. The records can be searched for Civil War ancestors held at the prison camp. Please contact the museum staff for additional information at (309) 782-502.
Rock Island Arsenal was established by Act of Congress in 1862. The arsenal has been an active manufacturer of military equipment and ordnance since the 1880s. Our diverse products have included leather horse equipment, meat cans and canteens, paper targets, artillery recoil mechanisms and carriages, and the Model 1903 rifle.
Today, the Rock Island Arsenal Museum has exhibits that reflect Rock Island Arsenal’s unique history. Early island history is portrayed with scale models of Fort Armstrong and the Colonel George Davenport house. One exhibit features photographs, documents, and a violin from the Rock Island Prison Barracks, one of 21 Union prison camps for Confederate prisoners of war. “Meet the People of Rock Island Arsenal” is an exhibit that focuses on the diversity of employees at Rock Island Arsenal and uses photographs, documents, and artifacts to illustrate the story of individual employees. Examples of Rock Island Arsenal products are on exhibit, and include artillery, leather equipment, mess equipment, a paracrate, machine guns, and the Model 1903 rifle.
They have a significant small arms collection that includes rare examples. They have serial number 1 of the Model 1903 rifle and serial number 2 of the M1 Garand rifle. They have 5 weapons that have been positively identified as Sioux or Cheyenne owned weapons used at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. They have one of five Rappahannock Forge wall guns known to exist. They have serial number 1 of the basic issue M9 pistol and of the General Officers M9 pistol, as well as examples of the eight XM9 test candidates.
Hours 1000-1600
Tuesday – Sunday
Closed: Mondays
All Federal Holidays
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Phone: (309) 782-5021
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