FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 30, 2015) -- A ceremonial ribbon-cutting held April 23 signaled the official reopening of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum. Closed last April for major renovations, the facility has reopened its doors to Soldiers, Family Members and Civilians. It features major upgrades including new lighting, a revamped floor plan and modern display options that better highlight artifacts and items belonging to Fort Drum's historical collection.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander, spoke of the hard work and financial support that was necessary to complete the renovations. He thanked Ginger Shaw, Field Museums Branch chief for the U.S. Army Center of Military History, and Jim Corriveau, Fort Drum director of public works, for their financial contributions and guidance as subject-matter experts.
Bannister said that the museum serves as an important educational tool, and it is a source of pride for all 10th Mountain Soldiers, past and present.
"This project was very meaningful because the preservation of 10th Mountain Division history is important to our Soldiers and Families, our local community and the veterans of our Army," he said. "We learn from it, we train with it in mind, we internalize the sacrifices of the Soldiers who shaped it."
Kent Bolke, museum curator, explained that viewing items from the past impacts viewers on a deeper level than simply learning about them in books or by watching movies.
"When you visit the museum and actually see the objects, it brings a different dimension to your understanding of history," he said.
The historical collection was first exhibited in 1982 in a converted train station on Nash Boulevard. This original museum space was very small, limiting the size of tour groups that were able to use the building. The museum moved locations several times over the course of the next 25 years, settling in its current location in 2007. The amount of items within the historical collection also has grown over the years, Bolke said.
"All our artifacts belong to the U.S. Army's Center for Military History," he said. "They come from a variety of different places. Some of them come straight from the military. Some are battlefield capture items -- like a rocket-propelled grenade we have from Somalia -- and sometimes people donate individual items."
In addition, the beginning section of the museum is dedicated to artifacts belonging to the Cultural Resources Branch, with whom the museum staff has a very good working relationship, Bolke said. Although the recent renovations have been a significant improvement, Bannister said further expansion plans are in the works.
"What we are developing will be located outside the gates on (Route) 26, near Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield," he said.
Bannister said that due to Fort Drum's strong connection to the community, it is fitting that a museum be established outside the gates of the installation, granting access to those who wish to learn about the 10th Mountain Division's history without having to enter the installation itself.
"We are confident the community will be pleased with this upgrade, and we're looking forward to sharing it with them," he said. "It will be the link to connect the North Country to our military members and Families -- past, present and future."
After concluding his remarks, Bannister moved to the lobby where he, Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Lewis, Corriveau and Shaw performed the ribbon-cutting, and then toured the new facility.
The museum is located at 10502 S. Riva Ridge Loop. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and admission is free.
Social Sharing