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After 64 years of being warehoused in obscurity and lost in time, a set of relics from the beginning age of the battleships have been saved and refinished in a new exhibit at the PA Military Museum.

Museum and the 28th Division Shrine P.O. Box 160A, Business Rt. 322

Boalsburg, PA (814) 466-6263 Web site

The Pennsylvania Military Museum, Home of the Brave!

The Pennsylvania Military Museum recounts the story of Commonwealth citizens who served our country in defense of the nation. Their service is highlighted through exhibits and artifacts that are documented by the museum's excellent collection of vehicles and small arms. The current exhibit, Tactics and Logistics of Warfare, examines the organization of the armed services in the 20th century and the Pennsylvania connection to each.

First opened on Memorial Day 1969, the museum is adjacent to the Shrine of the 28th Infantry Division, the Pennsylvania National Guard. The grounds of the shrine and museum were once part of the estate of Theodore Davis Boal, a wealthy landowner and prominent citizen of the Centre Region. Boal raised a private militia that trained on these grounds and served overseas with the 28th Division during World War I. After the war, the training camp became an officers club and the division began to hold yearly reunions on the grounds. Monuments commemorating service and sacrifice were built and dedicated and the site eventually became the shrine it is today.

Appropriately located in Boalsburg, the birthplace of Memorial Day, the eye-catching colorful front façade design of the museum represents military service ribbons that actually required Pentagon approval. It had also won an award by the American Institute of Architects. This impressive site is a proud landmark of Boalsburg residents and the Happy Valley region, at large. The Pennsylvania Military Museum is many things to the many visitors it enjoys all year: a wonderful place for quiet reflection, a peaceful environment to walk a dog, the safest place to learn to ride a bike, the perfect picnic spot on the lawn or under a pavilion, and host to many patriotic celebrations and remembrances, as well as, an annual arts festival.

The Friends of the Pennsylvania Military Museum organization is a statewide group of community members who have taken a personal interest in helping to expand the reach of the programs and to encourage awareness of such activities. The money raised through membership dues and purchases in the unique Gift Shop support special acquisitions, events and promotion on behalf of the Museum. Friends members are entitled to free museum admission for the member year and a 25% discount in the bookstore/gift shop. You can obtain membership information by email, or by calling 814-466-6263.

The Friends sponsor the Military History Speakers Series - a monthly lecture event that highlights the personal, technical and tactical aspects of military conflict throughout the ages. Events are held in the Museum Auditorium at 7:30 PM and admission is free. See the 2010 calendar below for dates!

Mark your Calendars with 2010 Events!

 January 17 – DOCUMENTARY FILM: “You Enter Germany – Bloody Huertgen and the Siegfried Line” Between September 1944 and February 1945 thirteen U.S. Army divisions fought for control of a 50 square mile area of dense forest along the German border.  This battle was the longest single battle in American history and largest defeat of the U.S. Army in Europe.  This 2007 German production tells that story with veteran’s interviews and never before seen archival footage. (104 minutes). Free Admission - 2:00 p.m.  *Annual

March 14 - CHARTER DAY - Free admission to the Military Museum and other select Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission sites on this date to commemorate the granting of the Charter from Charles II to William Penn which founded “Penn’s Woods” in 1681.   *Annual

March 14 thru June - EXHIBIT: "Memories of Service - PA National Guard Mementos from The Great War"  More than 25,000 Commonwealth citizens served with the 28th Infantry Division in World War One.  This temporary exhibit will showcase the souvenir items that soldiers bought, found, traded or made to commemorate their experiences.  Museum admission required to view exhibit. NOTE: Reduced hours in effect  thru March; 1000 to 1600 Thursday -Saturday, Noon to 1600 Sunday; Closed Monday -Wednesday.

April TBD - BATTERY B DRILL WEEKEND - The Civil War Era re-enactment group of the 3rd Pennsylvania Volunteers will encamp on the museum grounds demonstrating the loading and firing of replica period artillery pieces while they conduct  their yearly safety qualifying session and recruitment drive.  Interested persons of all ages are invited to enlist. 1300 till 1600    *Annual 

May TBD - LECTURE The Central Pennsylvania Civil War Roundtable Presents:   Free Admission - 7:00 p.m. in the museum theater

May 16 - A CELEBRATION OF SERVICE: HONORING PENNSYLVANIA VETERANS - U.S. Army reunion and memorial service sponsored by the Pennsylvania National Guard commemorating the Pennsylvanian Citizen Soldier.  Activities include a military band concert, distinguished speaker, helicopter/vehicle displays and a twenty-one-gun, 105mm howitzer battery salute.  Call ahead for itinerary.  Hours – 1230 to 1500.  This is an AW (All Weather) event - Rain or Shine.  *Annual

May 29 & 30 - WORLD WAR II REVISITED - American and German WWII Re-enactors will bivouac on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum portraying field life in the European Theater of Operations, 1944-45.  A small squad tactical demonstration against German opposition is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. each day.  Bivouac and tactical open to the public 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Call ahead for itinerary. Free Admission. *Annual

May 29 - SERVICE CANTEEN - Dan and Galla will celebrate America by entertaining the troops at the World War II Revisited Bivouac on the grounds of the museum. This special USO style show will highlight the WWII era with a performance by our area's best recognized vocal and musical duo. Free Admission - 3:00 p.m.

May 31 - ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN REGION A.A.C.A. CAR SHOW - Local Regional Antique Automobile Club of America Chapter’s annual summer season kickoff event featuring many pre-war through modern classics on display throughout the grounds of the 28^th Division Shrine Complex/PA Military Museum.  Donation accepted for parking. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. *Annual

June 14 - FLAG DAY CELEBRATION - The State College Elks Lodge and local veterans organizations will sponsor a joint Flag Day Service and U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony on the grounds of the 28th Division Shrine. The public is encouraged to bring their unserviceable American Flags for the proper disposal. Free Admission 6:00 p.m. *Annual

June TBD - "CVIM Cycling for Care" Bike Ride - Inaugural fund raising event for the Centre Volunteers in Medicine organization which has been providing free medical and dental services to area residents since 2003.  Participants may choose between 08, 35 or 50 mile bike loops beginning and ending at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. 

July 8-11 - PEOPLE’S CHOICE FESTIVAL OF PENNSYLVANIA ARTS - Annual arts and crafts festival featuring the best of Central Pennsylvania’s artisans. Food, fun and family entertainment in a park like setting. *Annual

July 24 & 25 - VIETNAM REVISITED - Visit this Living History bivouac (encampment) on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum with re-enactors portraying the combat

soldier of the Vietnam era in-country in Southeast Asia.  Daily programs include accompanying squads on a Short Range Patrol, fashion show at 1300, and witnessing a patrol ambush at 1400. Bivouac opens 1000 to 1700 on Saturday and Noon to 1600 on Sunday. Free Admission to bivouac. *Annual

September 11 & 12 - THEN AND NOW - Visit this Living History Time Line of Uniforms and Equipment from the Colonial Period thru the 21st century. Fashion Show at 1:00 p.m.; Weapons Demonstration at 2:00 p.m. Call ahead for event confirmation. Free Admission – Saturday 11 a.m. till 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. *Annual 

November 27 thru December 19 - EXHIBIT: Santa's Draft Card - Reverend Santa Claus of Saline County Missouri registered for the draft in World War II. A copy of his draft registration from the Selective Service System will be on display in the month long exhibit. Hours - Thursday thru Sat. 10 to 4; Sunday Noon to 4. *Annual

The Pennsylvania Military Museum and 28th Division Shrine is located on Business 322 in Boalsburg; three miles east of State College.

Open Wed-Sat, 10 AM - 4 PM; Sun. Noon - 4 PM

Closed Mondays and Holidays, except Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.

Admission:

Seniors, 2.00 for Children Ages 6 - 17, Age 5 and under is free. Special Rates for guided group and school tours.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Military Museum website.