A relatively new museum located in the Gettysburg Pennsylvania area is the WWII American Experience Museum. A couple of buddies of mine and I were in the Gettysburg area recently to check out some of the museums in the area. The visit included this one.
Based on what had read, I was expecting an outside museum with a couple of vehicles and a small interior display area. Well, it ended up being a very rainy day, so it was a pleasant surprise that it was really almost all inside. They have a few deteriorating vehicles outside. When I first saw them, I must admit feeling a bit disappointed. However, then we went inside!
You enter into a lobby area that extends to a meeting room and display/gift shop. The front area has a few jeeps and softskins, with a lot of scale models. Talking to the front desk, we found there is a whole wing on the left side of the building full of a number of mostly soft skins and extra stuff in piles.
We walked around the facility and checked out all the display items. They are attempting a lived in look with each vehicles, as there are plenty of boxes, equipment and bits. Almost everything is US equipment, but there is a Japanese scout car and a Kubelwagon for those looking for something a little different.
Most of the vehicles are logistical in nature and gives you an opportunity to see stuff you would not normally come across. There is a Sherman and a Jackson, along with a few pieces of ordnance to round things out.
We spent about an hour checking the place out. While leaving, we saw there was another section that had running softskins they clearly use for parades. As a matter of fact, some of these were in the recent US Army anniversary parade.
A nice little museum. They will be having an open house in July, that will have a lot of reenactors present. I think it is the same time as Historicon, so I may just swing by on the way home!
- Manteuffel
Nice to see some soft skins