FORT BELVOIR, Va. — In commemoration of the U.S. Army’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the National Museum of the United States Army has unveiled a major new exhibit, “Call to Arms,” showcasing a rare and immersive collection of Revolutionary War artifacts.
The exhibit, which opened June 7, 2025, features 285 artifacts within a 5,000-square-foot gallery space, including muskets, cannons, powder horns, and period uniforms. Complementing these historical objects are interactive battle displays and video presentations, offering visitors a dynamic exploration of the Army’s origins during the Revolutionary War (1775–1783).
Though the museum, which opened on Veterans Day in 2020, had previously featured several Revolutionary War items, Museum Director Tammy Call initiated a significant expansion of the collection in anticipation of the Army’s milestone anniversary on June 14, 2025.
“We realized we needed a deeper narrative to fully tell the Army’s origin story,” said Call, a former Army ordnance officer. In pursuit of that goal, the museum reached out to historical societies, other institutions, and private collectors both domestically and internationally to secure loaned items.
The curatorial approach behind “Call to Arms” goes beyond preserving historical weaponry and uniforms. Each artifact was selected not only for its authenticity but for its personal connection to the soldiers who used it. The goal, according to museum leadership, is to center the exhibit on the lived experiences of ordinary soldiers, not just high-ranking officers.
Call noted the initiative fostered lasting partnerships with lending organizations and offered the museum a professionally fulfilling experience. She expressed hope that the museum’s approximately 800,000 annual visitors would leave the exhibit reflecting on the enduring legacy of Army service and the motivations that have driven Americans to serve for nearly two and a half centuries.
Located just outside the gate at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the National Museum of the United States Army is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day. Admission and parking are free, and the museum welcomes school and group visits without requiring advance reservations. Volunteer staff members are present throughout the venue to assist and answer questions.
The “Call to Arms” exhibit is scheduled to remain on display until June 2027, when loaned items are to be returned. Nonetheless, the museum will continue to display Revolutionary War-era artifacts from its permanent collection, alongside exhibits chronicling other eras of Army history.
