What Exhibits and Historical Periods Are Covered at The Texas Military Forces Museum?

Updated

The Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry in Austin covers Texas military history from 1823, when the first militia muster was held in Stephen F. Austin's colony, through the present day. Its 45,000-square-foot permanent exhibits trace the state's militia and volunteer forces up to 1903, when Congress created the National Guard, and then the story of the Texas Army and Air National Guard and the Texas State Guard in both peacetime and wartime. Admission is free, and the museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 4:00, with outdoor exhibits open dawn to dusk year-round.

Historical periods on display

The permanent exhibits span a long arc of conflicts and eras, including:

  • The Texas Revolution
  • The Texas Navy
  • The Texas Republic
  • The Mexican War
  • Battles along the Indian Frontier
  • The War between the States
  • The Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • The Korean War
  • The Cold War
  • Peace Keeping Deployments
  • The Global War on Terror

How the exhibits are presented

The museum uses a mix of artifacts and immersive displays rather than text panels alone. According to the museum, permanent exhibits utilize:

  • Uniforms
  • Weapons
  • Equipment
  • Personal items
  • Film and music
  • Photographs
  • Battle dioramas
  • Realistic full-scale environments

This combination is what lets the museum tell the story of the Texas Military Forces across such a wide span of time in a single building.

Special programs and events

Beyond the permanent exhibits, the museum hosts living history programs, battle reenactments, and other special events throughout the year. These are worth checking if you want to see equipment or uniforms in use rather than behind glass.

Before you go: Camp Mabry access rules

The museum sits on an active military base, so entry involves security screening. Key points from the museum:

  • Visitors must enter Camp Mabry by 3 p.m. to obtain admission to the museum.
  • Visitors 18 and older must be vetted at the Visitor Control Center before entering the post; the VCC closes at 3 p.m.
  • Arrive at the 35th St. entrance no later than 2:55 p.m. if you wish to visit.
  • Adults 18 and up need a photo ID such as a US Department of War military ID, military retiree/dependent ID, US government-issued ID, state driver's license or state-issued ID, or a US Visa.
  • At this time, a foreign passport or foreign military ID card without an accompanying US Visa does not allow access to Camp Mabry, even with a valid ID card holder present.
  • Enter the post via Maintenance Drive off West 35th Street, just before Pecos.

Contact and location

  • Address: 3038 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 512-782-5659 (Monday through Friday)

If you want to support the museum beyond a visit, the Texas Military Forces Historical Foundation, a 501c3 support group, accepts memberships through a link on the museum site.