In times of state crisis, such as floods, tornadoes, and civil unrest, the National Guard stands ready to come to the aid of communities throughout the state. Today the National Guard continues to serve the dual role of protecting the citizens of Illinois, while remaining ready to answer the nation's call abroad, with the motto "Always Ready, Always There." Learn more by stepping through history at the Illinois State Museum, where our National Guard heritage is preserved and displayed for all to see. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our story with you. The Illinois State Military Museum, preserving the heritage of the Illinois Citizen-Soldier.

Back to First Floor of Museum

Second Floor

Orientation Room
Early Militia Exhibit
Mexican War Exhibit
Civil War Exhibit
Spanish-American Exhibit
World War I Exhibit
World War II Exhibit
Korean War Exhibit
Vietnam War Exhibit
Gulf War Exhibit
Global War on Terror Exhibit
Washburn Trophy
Rope Elevator

Second Floor of Museum

Orientation Briefing

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In the Orientation film briefing area, you will view a short film that will explain the museums mission of preserving the military heritage of the States' Army and Air National Guard. In addition, it will give an overview of the exhibits that document how Illinois' citizen-Soldiers have proudly serviced our nation throughout history and how they continue to serve today at home and abroad.

Early Militia Exhibit

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The Illinois National Guard traces its roots back to early territorial militia of the 1700's. Settlers banded together out of necessity to protect families, farms, and neighbors from any threat of attack. Illinois' Militia were first federalized during the War of 1812 . They constructed strong wooden forts, Blockhouses, to defend themselves against British attack. During the Black hawk War in 1832, Illinois' most famous Citizen-Soldier was Captain Abraham Lincoln. Years later when recalling his military service he stated, "Not since had any success in life afforded me such satisfaction."

Mexican War Exhibit

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It was during the Mexican War Battle of Cerro Gordo in 1847 that Soldiers of the 4th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment came upon what is today one of the most unique artifacts of the museum's collection-- the artificial leg of Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The Soldiers came upon an abandoned carriage belonging to General Santa Anna and found his gold, a roast chicken lunch, and his artificial leg. They turned in the gold, ate the chicken and kept the artificial leg as a souvenir. Displayed inside a re-created carriage scene reminiscent of the occasion in which it was found is Mexican General Santa Anna's artificial leg. Years after it was found, it came to the Adjutant General's office for display and now is proudly displayed in the museum.

Civil War Exhibit

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As the United States entered the Civil War, Illinois volunteers answered President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops, providing over 250,000. This exhibit features the 29th United States Colored Troops, Major General John A. Logan, as well as captured items brought home by Illinois Citizen-Soldiers. Pictured on the left, it this authentically uniformed armed and equipped Illinois Soldier greats you as you enter the Civil War exhibit. In 1863, during the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln test-fired a Spencer Repeating Rifle in front of the White House placing 7 holes in a pine board. This small piece of history, created during one of our nation's most tested times and by one of most famous leaders, is another one of the museum's unique original artifacts. A similar type of Spencer rifle used by President Lincoln, seen in the picture on the right, is featured in this display; as well as a painting by Andrew Sibirsky of the International Artists Association, depicting the occasion.

Spanish-American War Exhibit

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The Spanish-American War took Illinois troops overseas for the first time to fight a war sparked by the sinking of the U.S.S. Main in Havana Harbor, Cuba. Carl Sandburg, Poet and Abraham Lincoln Biographer, enlisted as a private in the Illinois National Guard out of a sense of Patriotism. The picture on the left is an original M1885 Gatling Gun that is on display in this exhibit. Also featured is the story of Lincoln biographer and Poet, Carl Sandburg, who served as a Private in Company C, 6th Illinois Infantry during the war.

World War I Exhibit

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This exhibit was funded by generous contributions from the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, the 131st Infantry Regimental Association, AT&T Foundation, Army Heritage Foundation, and the Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society, Inc. On the left is a picture of the display showing two Soldiers of the 131st Infantry, 33rd Division discuss battle plans in the representation of a World War One Trench scene in France. The picture on the right, opposing the 131st Infantry Soldiers on the opposite end of the "battlefield," is this display of a German Soldier behind a Maxim 08 Machine Gun. World War One brought the National Guard into the modern age of warfare and took Citizen-Soldiers from the prairies of Illinois to the battlefields of Europe. During the war, 9 soldiers of the 33rd Infantry Division were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions. World War One brought the National Guard into the modern age of warfare and took Citizen-Soldiers from the prairies of Illinois to the battlefields of Europe. During the war, 9 soldiers of the 33rd Infantry Division were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions.

World War II Exhibit

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During World War Two the Illinois Army National Guard fought in both the Pacific and European theaters. The 192nd Tank Battalion, formed in part by Soldiers from Illinois, defended the Philippines in 1941 when they were forced to surrender to the Japanses at Bataan. Less than one-third of these soldiers survived captivity and returned home. The 33 rd Infantry Division avenged their memory and other Bataan and Corrigedor veterans when they helped liberate the Philippines in 1945.In the World War Two Exhibit visitors will have a chance to view the typical small arms carried by Illinois Soldiers during the War as well as some of the items captured from the opposing German and Japanese forces as seen in the picture above.

Korean War Exhibit

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During the Korean War the 32nd Ordinance Battalion served in Japan and Korea The 44th Division provided training and replacements to units serving in Korea and Europe. In 1961, President Kennedy called the 170th Fighter Squadron to active duty for the Berlin Crisis.Many Illinois Guardsman were used as replacements and trainers during the War. The Air National Guard is also featured, since this is the first major conflict following their establishment.The Korean War Exhibit features an Ike jacket worn by an Illinois Guardsman, as seen in the picture above, who was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division serving in Korea.

Vietnam War Exhibit

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During the Vietnam War, the 126th Supply and Service Company served in Southeast Asia where Citizen-Soldiers provided logistics support. While on the homefront, the Governor called upon the National Guard to supplement state and local authorities in maintaining civil control in the cities and on college campuses. During the Vietnam War, the 126th Supply and Service Company served in Southeast Asia where Citizen-Soldiers provided logistics support. In the Vietnam War Exhibit you will learn about the contributions made by Illinois Guard Soldiers and Airmen to the war effort and on the home front.

Gulf War Exhibit

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In the years following the Vietnam War the National Guard focused on transformation and training to meet its expanded role which included providing humanitarian support throughout the world. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 initiating the Gulf War, the National Guard was part of the coalition force that liberated Kuwait and provided follow-on protection in Operation Southern Watch. The first major conflict in which females of the Illinois National Guard participated.

Global War on Terror

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Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Illinois National Guard has become a partner in safeguarding the people of other nations. The National Guard has proven that it is a good neighbor to the world. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Illinois National Guard has taken on a major role in supporting the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, at home and wherever freedom and liberty are threatened. The Illinois Army and Air National Guard continue to serve in the Global War on Terror and this exhibit highlights the uniform, weapon, and equipment of the modern day National Guardsman, as seen on the left.

Washburn Trophy

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Marksmanship has always been important to the National Guard and much time between conflicts has historically been spent improving skills as this silver trophy will attest. The Illinois National Guard competed against teams from other states to win the "Washburn Trophy" and retain it for display in Illinois. Illinois Guardsman competed against teams from other states and won the "Washburn Trophy."

Rope Elevator

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The building that houses the Museum was originally constructed between 1903-1909 by Colonel James Culver to serve as a Commissary and Quartermaster building. Awaiting wagons on the first floor would remove the equipment from the building and transport it to armories located throughout the state of Illinois. The rope elevator is original to the building and was used for moving military equipment to and from the second floor.