When passing the Patton Museum individuals may have noticed a new addition--a fence that is being installed around the museum's perimeter.
Alice Hart, the director of the museum, said the fence is being installed to allow access from U.S. Highway 31W and make museum visitation more convenient.
In previous years when people visited the museum they could use a gate adjacent to the museum along U.S. Highway 31W for direct access without using one of the post's three primary access points on Fort Knox. But that changed a few years ago when new security policies required installation visitors to be vetted before entering the installation.
"The gate closed for security reasons about two years ago," explained Hart. "Since then, visitors have had to come (through the) Chaffee Gate, and more recently they have had to (go to) the Visitor Center to show identification, get a pass (and) then they could go to the museum."
The Real ID Act also means people who have a driver's license from one of the noncompliant states means they will need another form of ID, she said.
"People arrive here not knowing that if they would have brought a copy of their utility bill with an address on it along with their driver's license they would have been fine," she said.
Hart pointed out that easier access will be accomplished while maintaining security on the post. She said the fence will be finished sometime this spring.
"People from the post will need to leave post, come out to the highway and then come into the (new 31W gate)," she said about gaining access to the museum once the fence is completed.
The museum is also planning a new ROTC exhibition, said Hart. There will be a hall of distinguished graduates from ROTC. Hart pointed out that last year the U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox commander inducted a large group of former cadets into ROTC Hall of Fame.
"At the time it was called Hall of Fame, but there was no physical home for (the inductees)," she said. "With (the commander at the time) the concept was kind of a computer kiosk where people would look up biographies, and (she) wanted to have a home of distinguished graduates along with galleries of ROTC."
Hart pointed out that the precursor of ROTC goes back 200 years, and the exhibit will showcase that information along with information on what the future holds for ROTC.
She added that ROTC has been instrumental in the Army because 70 percent of officers receive a commission through the program.
"There really has been no place dedicated to the history and legacy of ROTC (or) a place to honor the people who came through ROTC programs," Hart explained.
Hart added that there have been many officers and generals who had distinguished careers in the military as well as presidents of corporations and others who have contributed to society.
Although Fort Monroe, Virginia, had a space for ROTC in their museum, Hart said Fort Knox will probably be the first installation to have a modern exhibit dedicated to the program.
The museum will also have a space for meetings that can be used for commissioning ceremonies, retirements and changes of command.
Another addition will be the expansion of the Patton collection. Hart said the current collection was never intended to be a permanent exhibit. New story lines have also been written.
"We hope in the next couple of years to begin renovation of the Patton collection," she said.
One of the more noticeable changes at the museum has been its reduced winter hours and reduction of eight to four staff members. Hart said that number is now two because the curator is deployed with his National Guard unit. That also means Abrams Auditorium is closed because the museum doesn't have enough staff members to keep it open and conduct other duties in the museum.
"Temporary closure and reduced hours allow professional museum staff to focus on mission-driven goals," Hart said.
The Patton Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through March 30. Regular hours will resume April 1, which are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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