Illinois State Military Museum, Illinois, United States

5Taylor B 5:00 PM Jun 21, 2015

All this--and Santa Anna's leg, too
The museum is committed to collecting, preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the military artifacts associated with the citizen/soldiers of Illinois and preserving the heritage of the Illinois National Guard. Exhibits include rare items such as the artificial leg of Mexican General Santa Anna, and a target board shot at by then President Abraham Lincoln while testing a Springfield rifle. Santa Anna's leg was amputated after being hit by cannon fire during a fight with French soldiers in 1838. In 1847, his artificial leg was captured by soldiers of the 4th Illinois Infantry, which is why it is displayed in the Illinois State Military Museum. A new multi-case display tells the story of Illinois' 33rd Division in Luxembourg during the post-World War I occupation. In a self-guided tour, visitors also will discover exhibits focusing on a young Abraham Lincoln as a militia soldier in the Black Hawk War, the 29th U.S. Colored Troops, the only black Illinois regiment of the Civil War, National Guard support to Illinois communities during floods, tornadoes, blizzards and riots, National Guard international peace-keeping operations and humanitarian mission and the Army and Air Guard's service in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Also on display are vehicles, weapons, helicopters, uniforms, equipment and photographs, all of which provides a history of Illinois-born military personnel dating to the early 1800s.

4BillySOS 5:00 PM Apr 1, 2013

A Great Stop
We were very pleased with this location. It is right next to the National Guard base. A unique collection of military treasures are here from both current and past wars. The war memorial inside for victims of recent wars is simply humbling. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. There is a host of interesting things to see both inside and outside.