Museum of Missouri Military History in Jefferson City, Missouri
Museum with a major rail exhibitFreeFree admission; closed major holidays
The Museum of Missouri Military History, on the Ike Skelton Training Site east of Jefferson City, tells the story of Missourians in uniform from the 1808 militia to the present-day National Guard, with free admission.
- Free admission
- Opened in April 1999
- Exhibits from 1808 to today
- Outdoor aircraft and armor
- Closed major holidays
Museum of Missouri Military History at a glance
- Hours
- Not posted online; check the museum's Facebook page before you go
- Admission
- Free
- Best for
- Military history fans and families who like aircraft
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Follow Museum of Missouri Military History
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Taking the kids to Museum of Missouri Military History? Bring Rally along.
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From a two-story building to the Guard's maintenance bays
The museum opened in April 1999 in a two-story building at the Ike Skelton Training Site, the Missouri National Guard's grounds east of Jefferson City. Its starting point is 1808, the year the Missouri Militia was activated, and its galleries follow Missouri service through the War of 1812 and on to the present-day Guard, with artifacts reaching back to the Revolutionary War.
After about 13 years the collection had outgrown its 1,000 square foot space. In 2013 the museum began moving into a series of 6,400 square foot maintenance bays next to the Missouri National Guard headquarters, giving the collection far more room.
The museum does not describe any railroad exhibits online. Rail fans hoping to see railway-related pieces here should call or message the museum through its Facebook page before making the drive.
Indoor galleries and an outdoor field of aircraft
Inside, the galleries trace Missouri's military story in objects, from a 1780 British Brown Bess musket and a Model 1841 six-pounder howitzer to equipment of the modern Guard. Outside, a large display of aircraft and armored vehicles includes an F-15 Eagle, an F-4 Phantom II, a C-130 Hercules and a Sherman tank.
Don’t miss
- 1780 Brown Bess musketA British musket from the Revolutionary War era, among the oldest artifacts on display.
- C-130 HerculesThe big transport plane in the outdoor display is the piece kids usually spot first.
- Sherman tankA World War II armored vehicle in the outdoor collection.
Big aircraft and armor outdoors
Children who love big machines will find plenty to look at in the outdoor display of jets, a cargo plane and a tank. The museum does not post details about hands-on activities or what visitors can touch, so ask when you arrive.
Plan your visit: tips for Museum of Missouri Military History
- The museum is on an active National Guard training site; check its Facebook page for entry details before you go.
- It is closed on all major holidays.
- Ask ahead if you are coming for railroad-related items, since none are described online.
Keeping Missouri's service history on display
The museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Missouri's military history and is located on Missouri National Guard property. It does not post membership or volunteer details online; message it through its Facebook page to ask how you can help.
Rail museums within a drive of Jefferson City
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot Museum in Sedalia is about 58 miles west and is a true railroad stop. The Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railroad runs live steam rides about 84 miles east, and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline is about 89 miles north. See more train museums in Missouri.
- Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot MuseumSedalia, MO · about 58 mi
- Wabash, Frisco & Pacific RailroadGlencoe, MO · about 84 mi
- Walt Disney Hometown Museum railroad exhibitsMarceline, MO · about 89 mi
- National Museum of TransportationSt. Louis County, MO · about 92 mi
- St. Louis Mercantile Library railroad collectionSt. Louis, MO · about 101 mi
- St. Louis Union Station historic exhibitsSt. Louis, MO · about 106 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Rally never leaves home without his suitcase: a turtle toy, a green bone and a yellow ball. A road trip to Jefferson City deserves the same kind of packing, with snacks, water and something small to hold while you look up at a cargo plane. My kids are learning to read, and they like checking the list on that page. Our free coloring pages travel well too.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Museum of Missouri Military History?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Museum of Missouri Military History: 20 visitor questions
Where is the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum is at the Ike Skelton Training Site, the Missouri National Guard's grounds east of Jefferson City, in maintenance bays next to the Guard's headquarters. It does not post a street address online, so check its Facebook page for directions and any entry requirements before you go.
Is the Museum of Missouri Military History free?
Yes. Admission is free. The museum is closed on all major holidays, and it does not post its regular hours online, so check its Facebook page or call the Ike Skelton Training Site before making a trip to Jefferson City.
What are the Museum of Missouri Military History hours?
The museum does not list its hours on a website. It is known to close on all major holidays. Check the museum's Facebook page, which posts updates, or contact it there before you go, especially if you are driving in from out of town.
Does the Museum of Missouri Military History have railroad exhibits?
The museum does not describe any railroad exhibits online; its published collection focuses on weapons, aircraft, armor and other military artifacts. If you are hoping to see rail-related items, message the museum through its Facebook page to ask what is currently on display.
What can you see at the Museum of Missouri Military History?
Exhibits follow Missouri service from the activation of the Missouri Militia in 1808 through the War of 1812 and on to the present-day Guard, with artifacts back to the Revolutionary War. Highlights include a 1780 Brown Bess musket, a Model 1841 howitzer and an outdoor field of aircraft and armor.
What aircraft are at the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The outdoor display includes an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, an F-4 Phantom II and a C-130 Hercules transport plane, along with armored vehicles. These large pieces sit outside, so dress for the weather when you plan time to walk the outdoor collection.
Is there a tank at the Museum of Missouri Military History?
Yes. A Sherman tank is part of the museum's outdoor display of armored vehicles, alongside the aircraft. The museum does not post details on whether visitors may climb on any vehicles, so ask staff during your visit and follow posted signs.
When did the Museum of Missouri Military History open?
The museum opened in April 1999 in a two-story building at the Ike Skelton Training Site. After about 13 years, the collection had outgrown that 1,000 square foot space, and in 2013 the museum began relocating to larger maintenance bays near the National Guard headquarters.
How big is the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum moved in 2013 into a series of 6,400 square foot maintenance bays adjacent to the Missouri National Guard headquarters, a big step up from its original 1,000 square foot space. It also has a large outdoor display of aircraft and armored vehicles.
Is the Museum of Missouri Military History good for kids?
Kids who like big machines usually enjoy the outdoor display of fighter jets, a C-130 cargo plane and a Sherman tank. Indoor galleries are more about history and artifacts, which suits older children. The museum does not post kid-specific programs online.
How long should I plan at the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum does not suggest a visit length online. With indoor galleries and an outdoor display of aircraft and armor, many visitors plan a few hours. Ask the museum through its Facebook page if you are planning a group visit with a tight schedule.
Is the Museum of Missouri Military History wheelchair accessible?
The museum does not post accessibility information online. The galleries are in converted maintenance bays and the large vehicles are outdoors. Message the museum through its Facebook page before your visit to ask about accessible entrances, parking and paths.
Is there parking at the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum does not list parking details online. Because it is on the Ike Skelton Training Site, an active National Guard property, check its Facebook page or ask ahead about where visitors should park and whether any gate check is needed.
Can groups tour the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum does not post group or school tour details online. Admission is free, which makes it a popular stop for groups, but call ahead or message it on Facebook to arrange a group visit and ask whether a guide is available.
Who runs the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Missouri's military history and sits on Missouri National Guard property next to the Guard's headquarters. It does not post details about its staff or governing group online; its Facebook page is the best place to reach it.
How can I donate artifacts to the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The museum does not post a donation process online. If you have Missouri military artifacts, photos or documents, message it through its Facebook page to ask whether it is accepting items and how to arrange a review before you bring anything in.
Does the Museum of Missouri Military History have a gift shop?
The museum does not mention a gift shop online. If you want a souvenir or a book on Missouri military history, ask staff when you arrive or check its Facebook page for any items it offers.
Is the Museum of Missouri Military History open on holidays?
No. The museum is closed on all major holidays. On other days, check its Facebook page for any special closures, since the museum is on an active National Guard training site where schedules can change.
What wars does the Museum of Missouri Military History cover?
The museum covers Missouri's military story from the Revolutionary War era and the 1808 activation of the Missouri Militia through the War of 1812 and onward to the present-day National Guard. Artifacts range from an 18th century musket to modern jets.
What railroad museums are near the Museum of Missouri Military History?
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot Museum in Sedalia is about 58 miles away. The Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railroad in Glencoe, a live steam ride, is about 84 miles, and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, with railroad exhibits, is about 89 miles.
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