Rock Island Arsenal Museum, Illinois, United States
4.5 (119 reviews) Saturday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #2 in Rock Island Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums
A museum that covers wars and weapons the United States have been involved with.
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is the Army’s second oldest museum. It first opened to the public on July 4, 1905. The museum tells the story of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island from the establishment of Fort Armstrong in 1816 to today. Among the museum's highlights is its firearms collection. Consisting of more than 1200 military and civilian firearms, the collection is one of the most unique in the country. Visitors can see a wall-gun from the American Revolution, rifles from the Little Bighorn Battlefield and Custer’s last stand, and experiment firearms from Rock Island Arsenal’s Rodman Laboratories. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from Noon to 4:00pm
Address
3500 N Avenue Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299-5000
Mobile
Website
http://www.arsenalhistoricalsociety.org/museum/
Working hours
Monday :
Tuesday : 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday : 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday : 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday : 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday : 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday :
Current local date and time now
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 7:33
User Ratings
4.5 based on (119 reviews)
Reviews
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5tridcod 5:00 PM Nov 15, 2017
World of military guns!
Rock island Arsenal has been supplying the US Military since the 1870's and you can see the progression of American Arms almost since the time of the American Revolution. Garand serial number 1? Yup, they have it. Weapons used against Custer's forces at Little Bighorn? Yes, they are there. Even a great full-size cavalry horse and accoutrements are there. All types of canvas web-gear, leather work, holsters, swords, from the 1870's to the present. Worth the trip. Great helpful staff as well. The building was once the place Rock Island 1903's were made - so if you own one, you might like to see where it was born!
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4sg8887 5:00 PM Jul 10, 2018
Very Interesting Visit
If you do not have a military ID, it is a bit more challenging to get in. You have to enter through the Moline gate and then follow the signs to the Visitor Control Center. It is a small, square building that really does not look open. Once inside, you have the fill out a form, do a quick background check, have your picture taken, and get a visitor's pass made. You do need your ID with you. Once you have done that, you are free to go through the gate. The museum is building 60, and you just follow the main road until you see signs for the museum. The entrance faces away from the road, so if you're not paying attention, it can be hard to find. There is free parking outside of the museum. It is a very informative museum, and has a lot of historic items to view. If you are interested in military history or weaponry, this museum is a must for you. There is also some activities for children where they get to put on civil war uniforms. Other than that, this museum won't be very good for small children.
