About
The U.S. Army Transportation Museum artifact collection numbers just over 7,000 artifacts including over 135
military vehicles on display. The vehicles on display include planes, helicopters, tugboats, landing craft,
trucks, jeeps, hovercraft and trains, including numerous one of a kind experimental vehicles.
Some of the unique items in the collection include the GEN Herman Haupt’s dress coat, worn when he organized and
ran the Union Army rail system here in Virginia, to equipment of the famed World War II Red Ball Express that
kept the march across Europe going, the Korean War helicopters made iconic in the MASH TV show, the only
surviving gun truck from the Vietnam War and Berlin Duty train that carried thousands of US troops to their
assignments in then divided Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. There are hundreds of unique and fascinating
stories of Soldiers and how they transported themselves and the entire U.S. Army to all corners of the globe over
the last two and half centuries.
Mission
As part of the wider Army Museum System, the mission of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum is to collect,
preserve, exhibit and educate about the history of transportation in the U.S. Army, beginning with the
Continental Army in 1775 and continuing through the eras of conflict and peace to the present date.
We also promote transportation heritage to military and civilian visitors and serve to build pride and spirit
within the Transportation Corps.
History of the Museum
The Transportation Museum was originally located in a repurposed storage building on Ft Eustis and opened to
the public in 1959 with displays from a Transportation recruiting event. From those humble beginnings, much has
happened in most part due to our Transportation Corps veterans and partners.
Within ten years, a foundation, the Army Transportation Museum Foundation, was organized to raise private funds,
which enabled the museum to move to its present six-acre site in 1976. The Foundation continues to contribute in
ways small and large – funding the provision of a vehicle pavilion, supporting restoration of artifacts and
serving as our non-profit fundraising partners.
Our last major update happened in the 2000s when the 1974 complex was significantly expanded with new exhibit
space, storage, and foundation offices. Today, the museum’s six-acres include over 30,000 square feet of interior
exhibits, outdoor covered pavilions for Rail, Truck and Aviation vehicles and an outdoor Marine yard.
U.S. Army Transportation is a critical and important part of overall American military history. The U.S. Army
Transportation Museum looks to the future and continues to share how the Army has moved through history.
Research Support
While appointments for in-person research are required, the staff at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum will
provide support for smaller requests. Research inquiries utilizing the reference collection can be initiated via
phone, mail, or email. Please provide as much detail as possible when submitting a research inquiry for our
reference collection. Broad requests may require an in-person visit in order to research larger volumes of
reference material. Currently all research requests are completed on an as able basis, primarily using volunteers
due to minimal museum staff.
Email request form to: usarmy.jble.tradoc.mbx.transportation-museum@army.mil
Tour/Facility Requests
The museum can support Soldier training tours TUE through SAT. We are open to the public (self-guided tours) and
public programs/events on FRI and SAT weekly.
Please contact the museum at 757-878-1115 to reserve the COL Clos Regimental Room
for any training or events.
Gallery
Explore the museum’s exhibits and artifacts in the Transportation Museum
Gallery.