Frankfort, KY - The Kentucky Military History Museum, located in the Old State Arsenal overlooking the Kentucky River in Frankfort, will be closed temporarily for upgrades beginning Tuesday, October 16.
The museum's upgrades include repair of the heating and cooling ventilation systems with funding provided by the US Department of Defense and administered by the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky National Guard.
The Kentucky Military History Museum will offer free admission to visitors Tuesday, October 9, through Saturday, October 13. Hours of admission are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
"The Kentucky Military History Museum has been a treasured national historic landmark and home to the military collections of Kentucky for many years," said KHS executive director Kent Whitworth. "But, after nearly 35 years of sharing Kentucky's military history with visitors, the museum is in need of critical infrastructure upgrades. We'll take this time to evaluate what steps we should take next with the facility before we renovate and reopen at a future time. I want to emphasize that we're not permanently closing or moving the museum, only improving the facility to better present Kentucky's military history and improve visitor experience."
The Kentucky Military History Museum explores Kentucky's military heritage and emphasizes the service of the Kentucky Militia, State Guard, and other volunteer military organizations, from the Revolution through the Gulf War. Exhibits include an impressive collection of firearms, edged weapons, artillery, uniforms, flags, photographs, personal items, and other equipment that illustrates the commonwealth's military heritage. The museum is operated by the Kentucky Historical Society.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky constructed the Old State Arsenal in 1850 to house the weapons and equipment of the Kentucky Militia. Designed by Kentuckian N.C. Cook, the two-story brick Gothic-Revival "castle" stands on a cliff overlooking the Kentucky River and the downtown area. In 1973, the Old State Arsenal became the home of the Kentucky Military History Museum.
This closure does not affect the operations of the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History or Old State Capitol, which are also part of the Kentucky Historical Society's history campus. For more information, visit KHS's Web site and click on "Exhibitions."
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An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty- million- dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit our Web site.