The History of the Arizona Military Museum
Lest We Forget
The Arizona National Guard Historical Society (ANGHS) Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit organization in April 1975. Its stated mission in its Bylaws (amended 2005) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (July 1999) is to discover and memorialize Arizona’s military history, a mission it has diligently pursued for decades.
This facility is provided to ANGHS for the AMM’s use at no cost to the Society, per agreements in 1978 and 1989, and affirmed in an MOU between ANGHS and Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR) in 1999. In 1980, the Arizona National Guard Historical Society elected Officers and Directors to establish a museum per its Bylaws, and the Adjutant General’s staff (in 1980) wished: “To enhance the appreciation of the military history of Arizona and the contributions of the Arizona Militia, Arizona National Guard, and Arizonans who served in the military to the State of Arizona and to establish and maintain a museum.”
The ANGHS dba Arizona Military Museum (AMM) opened its doors in 1981, marking a significant milestone in our shared history. The National Guard Bureau recognized the AMM as an official National Guard museum in 1993. For well over forty (40) years, it has been open to the public, veterans, students, and military personnel to tour its exhibits. Since the museum is completely staffed by volunteers, it was only open on the weekends and for specially arranged tours. Historically the Museum had hours of 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on weekdays and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. The AMM learned the weekend was the busiest time, with families, out-of-state veterans/active military, and other dignitaries, consequently, are/were only open on the weekends. Over the years, the volunteers on the board of directors have conducted countless tours.
The museum has thousands of artifacts in its collection, and over 90 percent of the artifacts are owned by the ANGHS; the remaining 10 percent are owned by the Center for Military History and are federal property. The AMM is a combined humanities project of history, art, and prose and has been recognized with numerous awards for its accomplishments. Our mission is to honor and enhance the appreciation of the military history of Arizona—the militia, Arizona National Guard, and the military service of Arizonans to the state and nation. Located in the historic “Old Arsenal Building” built 1936-37 (on Historic Registry) in Phoenix, Arizona, the museum has 6,500 square feet for displays with a 3,300 square feet display for a Vietnam War room. The museum is an all-volunteer, nonprofit association and an official activity of the Arizona National Guard, through a memorandum of understanding, an official Partner of the
Department of Defense Commemoration of the Vietnam War Project, an Official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project, is recognized by the Center of Military History and certified by the Arizona Historical Society The museum impacts the military/veteran’s community and their families by educating the community at large and visitors to metropolitan Phoenix, as demonstrated by the public response at patriotic holidays and veterans’ events. Museums matter, and a museum dedicated to the military history of Arizona matters. Why? The plain and perhaps often overlooked answer is Arizona has a rich, colorful, and exciting military history.
Board members and other veterans provided free labor to build the building’s interior (e.g., office, work room, restrooms, storage room, stairs and balcony, elevator, upstairs library, archives room, and display areas.) Since its inception, the board members and other volunteers have performed over 30,000 volunteer hours in service to the Museum. The quid pro quo for the National Guard supplying space, utilities, and other support for museum contents was the Museum developing and maintaining the interior and providing docents to open the Museum to the public.
The Arizona Military Museum has earned many honors and awards:
Best Museum for Vintage Weapons 2013
Museum Association of AZ Outstanding Volunteer Museum Organization 2013
Arizona Centennial Legacy Project 2012
Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Award 2012
50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War Partner; Arizona Historical Society Al Merito Award 2013
New Times Best of Phoenix Best Museum for Veterans 2012
Historically, the AMM has held special events for veterans in the Museum. In addition, it sponsors an annual 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War Dinner/Program, which it has done for many years. The museum has a colorful and impactful history with itself and the public.