Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles
Established | 1986 [1] |
---|---|
Location | 606 Heartland Road, Lexington, Nebraska, United States |
Type | Military museum |
Director | Chris Larsen, Dave Smith, Terry Lauby and Al Martin.[1] |
Website | www.heartlandmuseum.com |
The Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles (HMMV) in Lexington, Nebraska is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and funded by donations and grants.
The museum's goal is to restore, preserve and display historic military equipment of all types, as a way to honor those who served.[2]
It is located near Interstate 80. There is no entry fee, donations are optional. It is open from 10 am - 5 pm Monday-Saturday, and 1 pm - 5 pm on Sundays.
History
In 1986, armed only with a determination to preserve historic military vehicles, four Lexington men formed the Heartland Museum. Today the dozens of fully restored vehicles are dedicated in honor and memory of those who served.[1]
In 1991, a permanent site for the museum was obtained at exit 237 of Interstate 80. In 1998, a 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) Visitor Center was constructed which houses many of the vehicles.[2]
Collection
The museum has about 100 vehicles including helicopters, tanks, half-tracks, ambulances, and a jeep from every branch of the service. There are also displays of weapons, uniforms, engines, equipment, and more. The everyday necessities of a soldier's life, such as MREs, blend with unique vehicles, like those used by the German army in World War II.[3]
Staff are very helpful and will tell you just about everything to know about each vehicle at the site.[citation needed] One of the attractions is the prototype HMMWV, serial number 1. Children can explore the interior of a Mike model Huey helicopter, and two tanks.
References
External links
- Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles - Official website