Since
1954, the Quartermaster Museum has evolved into one of the most prominent Army Museums in
the United States Army Museum System. With collections totaling over 26,000
artifacts and 30,000 archival materials, the Quartermaster Museum ranks third in numbers
of holdings among the 60 U. S. Army Museums. The quality and importance of the
collections rank second to none. Scholars from around the world avail themselves of
the materials and references contained in the Museum and visitors to the Museum can view
some of the most complete collection of uniforms, insignia, and horse equipment to be
found anywhere in the world. The Museum serves as the repository of the Corps'
history where today's Quartermasters can view, and learn about, their long and proud
history. The history of the Quartermaster Museum has been marked by facilities
expansions that have been needed to accommodate growing collections, to improve and add
exhibits, and to meet the rising demand for services. Each of the Museum's building
phases have been accomplished to meet this increasing need.
The Museum's building phases were undertaken by the Army Quartermaster
Foundation, since appropriated government funds were not available or authorized.
The credibility of the Foundation has been demonstrated by its construction of the main
museum building, the auditorium addition, the research and learning center and the over 43
years of quality support to the museum and the heritage of the Corps.
Phase I of the Museum building program was the construction of
the all-brick 20,000 square foot main museum building dedicated in 1963 and designated as
Spencer Hall.
Phase II was the renovation of the former PX gas station
adjacent to the Museum building as an Annex for storage of archival items and artifacts
and a limited conservation and collection area.
Phase IIIA was the addition of a 100-seat multi-purpose
auditorium, dedicated as the Littlejohn Auditorium in October 1993.
Phase IIIB was the addition of a research library, conservation
laboratory, study collection area and an expanded storage facility for archival items and
artifacts in a controlled environment of temperature and humidity. This expansion to
the main museum building was dedicated as the Pieklik Research and Learning Center and
opened to the public in June 1998.
Funds for the museum building program, all phases, have come from individuals
in the Quartermaster community and industry sources with historic ties to the Corps.
About 70% of the funds for Phase III were donated by individuals showing a spirit
of support from Quartermasters.
Many thanks to our supporters. Now, we are in the home-stretch for a 21st
Century Museum that will tell the entire Quartermaster story of "Supporting
Victory".
Phase IV will have exhibits of the highest quality with user
friendly audio-visual displays and other state of the art techniques. Exhibit
assembly and workshops will be modernized in the old PX gas station adjacent to the Museum
building. How much will this phase cost? We estimate that $100,000 will get
the job done. We already have over $63,600 on hand so we need your help for the
remainder. Phase IV is less than 20% of the cost of Phase III, but it complements
and completes what we have done in the past six years. It will make the
Quartermaster Museum the preeminent repository and institution for the education of
logistics research by our soldiers and leaders.
There are 11 galleries that will depict and interpret Quartermaster history.
The McNamara Supply Gallery completed in June 1999 emphasizes the
importance of supply in military missions. The Clothing and Equipment Gallery
as well as the Subsistence Gallery were formally opened during Quartermaster
Regimental Week in June 2000
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