The West Point Museum

THE WEST POINT
MUSEUM                           

2110 South Post Road

West Point, NY  10996

845-938-3590

www.usma.edu/museum

www.facebook.com/WestPointMuseum

What’s there?  An awesome arms and weapons collection, exhibits on U.S., West Point and military history, fun facts in science, engineering and space exploration, an outstanding art and statuary collection with a concentration in Hudson River School artists.

Who is it for?  Originally founded as a repository of military artifacts and documents for the benefit of the West Point cadets, the museum quickly became a popular stop for visiting tourists in the second half of the 19^th century.  Today it continues to welcome all visitors, “ages 8-80” as the director, David Reel, puts it, as well as group tours and Scouts, even as it continues to serve its primary function as a teaching tool for the cadets and a source of support for military personnel and their families.

Where is it?  Housed primarily in Olmstead Hall, adjacent to the Visitors Center at the West Point Military Academy campus in Highland Falls, NY. Additional exhibits at Fort Putnam and Constitution Island open seasonally; cannon display at Trophy Point most easily accessible with paid West Point Tour (see below).  

When is it open? The main museum is open 362 days a year from 10:30 to 4:15; it is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  However, the museum is subject to closure for inclement weather or other unforeseen events, so it’s always best to call ahead or check on its Facebook page to make sure it’s open. 

How much will it cost you?  Admission to the museum, Fort Putnam and Constitution Island is free; parking is free.  Tours of the West Point campus, the easiest way to see the cannon at Trophy Point, are $13.00 per person for adults and $10.00 for children 2-11(www.westpointtours.com).   

While you are there, check out the West Point Visitors Center, also free, with exhibits on the daily life of the cadets and West Point history.  Open 9:00-4:45, the same days as the museum. Tickets can also be purchased here for the West Point Tours, and there is a gift shop as well. www.usma.edu/visitors, (845) 938-2638. For more information about free public events at West Point, visit the website at www.usma.edu. 

  Why should you go?

I have to admit to a fondness of swords and martial arts, not to mention Revolutionary War history, and in fact, anything pre-twentieth century America.  Plus, I have a son who, like most 15 year old boys, absolutely loves anything that shoots, stabs, slashes and explodes. So, on a late summer afternoon, in an attempt to wrest him away from the nineteen millionth level of his blow ‘em up/shoot ‘em up video game, I decided it was time to head on over to the West Point Museum for a look at the real thing. 

The main museum consists of six permanent galleries—History of Warfare, History of West Point, History of the U.S. Army, History of American Wars, and the two weapons galleries, small and large.  We spent most of our time that day in the small weapons gallery. My son, a fantasy game player, especially appreciated the collection of pikes, battle axes and swords, but we also got to take a good look at how firearms developed from the first flintlocks to the tommy guns to modern machine guns.  

 Down below we ambled through the large weapons gallery where we viewed mortars dating back to the American Revolution displayed adjacent to armored tanks, their modern counterparts.  It was chilling and thrilling to stand before the black bloated belly shaped casing that once housed a nuclear bomb similar to that which destroyed Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The museum presents many such thought-provoking moments.

 You could spend all of your time in any one of the galleries—each teems with fascinating displays of military artifacts interspersed with illustrative dioramas and tastefully displayed works of fine and folk art. The West Point gallery, for instance, hosts an unusual portrait of General Robert E. Lee, depicting him not in the familiar gray of the Confederate Army, but in Union blue from the time he served as superintendent of West Point prior to the Civil War. 

Other notable artifacts include a pair of George Washington's pistols, hand stitched military flags, including some from the Confederacy, and personal possessions of such wartime anti-heroes as Napoleon, Frederick the Great, and Hermann Goering. Several paintings from the museum’s large Hudson River School collection were on display as well--Hudson River School artist Robert Weir was the West Point drawing instructor for over 40 years.  A visitor could also learn about the many contributions from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Army in peacetime, including scientific and medical advances.

 The museum tour is self-guided, and really, no map or pamphlet is needed since the accompanying commentaries and explanations are particularly well-written and engrossing. For the younger set, however, the gift shop offers a $2.00 scavenger hunt pamphlet that serves as a guide while keeping kids engaged and motivated--the completed hunt can be redeemed for a small prize.

And speaking of gift shops, what visit to a museum would be complete without one?  Of course, visiting the gift shop usually results in making a purchase, which, you’d think, defeats the purpose of a “free” activity. But then, let’s be realistic, especially if you are visiting with kids.  Fortunately, the Daughters of the U.S. Army gift shop at the museum has many items for all budgets.  The large bear in the cadet uniform at $56.95 was pretty pricey, if adorable, but there's a smaller bear in a t-shirt at a more reasonable $16.95.  I like stuff that's useful and quirky, like the “White House ParTea,”($10.95) which comes with 5 teabags, each sporting a different president’s likeness, or the West Point vintage postcard desk calendar ($12.95).  The gift shop inventory is always changing to include even more unique and affordable items.All proceeds go towards supporting the charitable work of the Daughters of the US Army, including their donations to West Point and the museum. www.dusagiftshop.org., (845) 446-3085.