FORT CARSON, Colo. - Preparations are under way for the opening of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Museum in 2010.
The "Ivy" Division's historical artifacts and vehicles recently packed and shipped from Fort Hood, Texas, to The Mountain Post, last year, are now being unpacked and cataloged by the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson Museum Curator Steve Ruhnke.
An exhibit consisting of a handful of Ivy Division artifacts is slated to be showcased inside the lobby of the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson Headquarters building providing spectators a glimpse of what the museum will offer, said Ruhnke.
"The artifacts help Soldiers make the connection of how the past relates to what they are doing every day," said Ruhnke.
Assembly for the displays is scheduled to begin in January of 2010 and should be completed before the end of the month, said Lt. Col. Alan Bal, Civil Affairs officer, 4th Inf. Div.
"These displays are professionally designed by the Center for Military History, and will encapsulate 4th Inf. Div. history using monographs, photos, military items from a specific era, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, OIF and OEF," Bal said.
Soldiers, Family members and other visitors to the division headquarters building will be able to use touch-screen technology attached to the displays to view a brief explanation of the 4th Inf. Div. campaign, added Bal.
Groundbreaking and construction of the temporary museum building is slated to begin February of 2010, said Ruhnke.
The temporary building will be located adjacent to the vehicle registration building outside of Fort Carson Gate One, said Ruhnke.
"The estimated completion of the temporary building is September 2010", said Bal. "It will take between 60 to 90 days to move the artifacts to the building, get displays up, put artifacts in place, and make sure the administrative support behind the operation is ready to go".
Bal said the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson Museum also plans to exhibit nine of the division's historic vehicles on Founders Field.
"Each vehicle or group of vehicles also represents an era of 4th Inf. Div. history,"
The exhibits will showcase the vehicles used during different eras of the 4th Inf. Div. history describing the purpose of the equipment and its history with the 4th Inf. Div., said Bal.
Soldiers and leaders interested in viewing the historical artifacts or obtaining individual or group educational training can contact Ruhnke at (719) 524-0915.
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