On my way back from Florida, I decided to do a little sightseeing.  I traveled home along the I-95 corridor back to New England.  Just off the highway near Richmond, VA, I made a stop at the US Army Quartermaster Museum.  My interest in the museum was piqued knowing that my wife’s  grandson is an Army Lieutenant and serves in the quartermaster corp.  The museum is housed on Fort Lee and is open to the public.

To access the museum, I first needed to stop at the Fort Lee Visitor Control Center and get a gate pass to enter the base.  I had to fill out a form, provide an ID, and my car registration.  A quick background check is done on everyone and then a pass is granted.  The museum is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and admission is free.  Plenty of parking is available next to the museum.

I had some knowledge of what quartermasters do but learned more at the museum.  The Quartermaster Corp is the supply arm of the army.  They provide all the goods and services that support the army.  This includes uniforms, supplies, food, transportation, vehicles, field housing, and funeral services.  Quartermasters have been suppling the army since the Revolutionary War.

The museum houses as collection of displays and artifacts that highlight the mission and history of the Quartermaster Corp.  Here’s some of the interesting artifacts on display at the museum along with some pictures;

• One of the army tunic jackets that General Eisenhower wore during WWII.
• The field trailer that Eisenhower used for his personal quarters during his time as SACEUR.
• A jeep that General Patton used in WWII.
• The saddle that General Ulysses Grant used during the Civil War.

This is one of the jeeps that Patton used during WWII. Patton liked being visible to his troops. His jeep was customized with extra wide fenders to keep the mud off his uniform. He had the windshield reinforced so he could use it to hold onto when he stood up. There was an extra comfortable seat put in for him and he had a special horn installed that was made made from the horns of two trombones.

One of the mobile trailers that Eisenhower used as as personal sleeping space during WWII near his Headquarters in England. Eisenhower preferred the trailer for privacy.

The Million Mile Jeep – this jeep was orginally used in WWII. After the war, it was given to the French Army. The French used it in Vietnam. It was captured and used by the North Vietnamese Army. Later it was returned to the US after the war.

One of Eisenhower’s field jackets that his wife donated to the museum after his death.

The saddle used by General Ulysses Grant during the Civil War.

A display of some of the Army uniforms. The Quartermaster Corp designs and is responsible for production of all the Army uniforms.

I spent about an 1 1/2 hours at the museum.  Next door is the US Army Women’s Museum. I did a quick pass through of that museum also.  That museum highlights the role that women have served (past and present) in the Army.

The uniform of General Ann Dunwoody. She was the first woman to achieve the rank of 4 star general in 2008. She was also the first woman to command a battalion of the 82 Airborne Division.  There has only been one other woman promoted to 4 star general since then.

I’m glad I stopped and made the visit,  As some readers know, I like history and seeing the artifacts was interesting.  It also gave me a better appreciation for the work my grandson is doing.  He’s currently serving as the executive officer of a company stationed in Juno, AK.