Attractions & Exhibits

Our Gowen Field exhibit is now located in a separate room.  This allowed us to expand the exhibit. 

Moving to the right is an exhibit on the  

WWII GI.

This exhibit was recently expanded; the exhibit actually contains 6 exhibit cases and includes German artifacts and gear. 

 1941 U.S. Cavalry Pack Saddle.

Moving to the right again is the  

Navy Exhibit.

Included in the exhibit  (first picture) is the bell from the USS Boise 1938-1946, which is on loan from the Idaho State Historical Museum. 

Also included in the exhibit (second picture) is a section of steel plate from the USS Boise with 6 Japanese flags on it, the caption of which reads:  "Section of steel plate removed from the Bridge of the U.S.S. Boise (CL-47) which arrived in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 19 November 1942 for extensive battle damage repairs, sustained in the battle with the Japanese at Cape Esperance." 

The third picture is an exhibit on the USS Boise, the 4th picture is an exhibit on WWII Submarines.

Moving to the right again is the 

Marine Exhibit.
       

Uniforms and field gear are just a few of the highlights in this exhibit.  A recent addition to this exhibit is a USMC Auxiliary flag, it is partially visible in both photos. 

Moving to the right again is the 

"1941 Willy's Jeep"

and its cousin from the Korean Conflict Era.  (The jeeps are undergoing maintenance and are not currently on display)

Moving to the right again is  

an engine from a Cobra helicopter.  

Moving to the right, along the side wall of the Museum is an exhibit on the Vietnam war. 

Vietnam War

This exhibit recently underwent a considerable expansion and now encompasses 6 display cases as well as a good portion of the wall above it.  It includes photos of many Idahoans who served in Vietnam and pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  It also includes photos and a brief history of Idaho's 4 Medal of Honor recipients who were awarded their medal for action during the Vietnam War.  These pictures only cover a very small part of the exhibit.  The Vietnam Exhibit has been expanded and now includes photos, uniforms and information on the Idaho Platoon, a group of Marines who were together all through Basic Training and a tour in Vietnam.  A few of the photos are pictured here. 

Next to the Vietnam War exhibit is an exhibit on 

Rations.

The rations (food) the US Military depended on and food rationing on the Home Front during WWII.    

Some of the items on exhibit down the center of the Museum are:

It is from the Korean Conflict era, photo not available.  

116th Engineers   

This is a small preview of what will be an exhibit on the Idaho Army National Guard.  This case holds artifacts of Col. Edward Elliott, WWII veteran and long time Idaho Army Guardsman.  He commanded the 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the early to late 1960’s.

Produced in the 1950s, it was used as a target for anti-aircraft gunnery practice.  It was also used in aerial photo reconnaissance.  

This is a four part exhibit on military medicine; only one part is pictured here.  Not pictured is a Civil War Surgeon's kit.