About the Fort Polk Museum
The Fort Polk Museum exhibits artifacts and interprets the historic
contributions of the Army at Fort Polk from 1940 to present day. Fort
Polk's storyline emphasizes the training missions and development of Army
doctrine at the post during WW2; the Korean War and the 1950s; the
Vietnam War and the Infantry Training Center; the late Cold War and the
5ID (Mech); and later missions involving peace keeping and the Global War
on Terror. Exhibits include those in the museum gallery, and static
displays of macro-artifacts on the museum grounds, in Warrior Memorial
Park, and at Polk Army Air Field.
Today's Mission & Soldier
Today's soldier prepares for the Global War on Terror and deployment at
Fort Polk's Joint Readiness Training Center. JRTC has adapted training
needs to meet toady's battlefield challenges, and continues to forge the
Warrior Spirit.
Fort Polk's Namesake
Fort Polk was named in honor of Louisiana native son, Leonidas Polk. Polk
was a prominent Episcopal bishop, and corps commander in the Confederate
Army. Polk fell at the Battle of Pine Mountain in the Atlanta Campaign in
1864.
Heritage Families
In 1941, Camp Polk was established under eminent domain, and 250 families
were evicted from their farmsteads. Many suffered acute financial hardship
as result. However, their sacrifice provided a vast training area for the
largest maneuvers ever held. The displaced “Heritage Families” are
commemorated for their contribution to the Army's readiness.
Louisiana Maneuvers WWII
Camp Polk started as a site for the Louisiana maneuvers of WWII. During
this period, the Army modernized from horse drawn equipment to a fully
mechanized force. Soldiers of the Red and Blue maneuver armies learned
lessons in tactics and leadership in West Louisiana, preparing them for
combat overseas.
Vietnam War & Tiger Land
Fort Polk served as the Army's largest infantry training center from 1962
until 1976. This mission involved preparing most of the infantry soldiers
for combat in Vietnam: over one million infantry recruits trained at Fort
Polk. It was during the Vietnam War that Fort Polk became famous for its
mock Vietnam villages, known as Tiger Land.
Tours
The museum and Warrior Memorial Park have self-guided tours, but guided
tours are available. Contact the museum staff for special group tours.
The museum is open FREE OF CHARGE to all service members, their families
and to the public at large. Visitors to Fort Polk may be required to
obtain a pass from the visitor center on Entrance Road/Louisiana Avenue,
at Gate 1.