If your museum plan involves military equipment that you could use, you probably know you can't just buy it off the shelf.
How to Obtain Military Equipment for Your Museum
A resource to help museums explore the possibilities for obtaining military vehicles and other types of equipment. The 23-page guide includes explanations about how to seek language agreements, the type of vehicles available, and what businesses offer wide-ranging packages for anything from transport to insurance. Can I get military equipment from the military for my museum?
The short answer is yes. It was actually how much of the White House paraphernalia came to George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. They were given to his family by George Washington.
Before you go ahead and start browsing archive catalogues or contacting local bases, there are a few things you need to know to ensure that the materials arrive at your doorstep in one piece.
You need to have an existing agreement with the military branch in question, be able to provide dimensions for the items, provide materials for packing (these could range from wood crates, newspapers, Styrofoam, bubble wrap) and pick up. In this article I will provide a list of possible resources as well as some important information on military equipment donations.
We've also included a list of military vehicles, aircraft and weaponry from WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom that would provide a boost to your exhibits. As an up-to-date museum, many are always interested in the newest modes of technology. The military offers many opportunities for museums to find exciting ways to present information about their collections.
Whether it be a paintball course, virtual helicopters, or mobile furry creatures- the possibilities are endless when considering using military equipment in your museum exhibit.
You have many options for this type of media in terms of what's available and what you want, so it's important to do your research to see if any items may be out of budget or just too cool not to consider. Your forward thinking will be rewarded when considering these projects with military equipment!
What is Military Equipment?
In order to provide a glimpse into the military's history, artifacts from the decades-long wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East have to be exhibited. For example, militarily themed collections in National Museum of American History have been donated by servicemen and veterans. The National Museum of American History may be able to help you find the right equipment for your museum program.
We maintain a nationally recognized collection of artifacts that reflect the historical development of our nation, with an emphasis on social and cultural history. Approximately two thirds of the Museum’s collections are loaned to other institutions, primarily museums nationwide.
This national treasure trove includes Civil War weaponry, Native American tools, Elvis Presley paraphernalia, World War II uniforms, and presidential galas. Helping museums across the country secure their own collections is one way we at NMAH connect people to history and build common ground in our democracy.
Each year we lend nearly 8,000 loans to museums and other organizations in all 50 states and internationally. This blog post will explore the options available to museums when looking for military equipment.
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