Museum of U.S. Army Debuts New Exhibit for Army’s 250th Anniversary

The temporary exhibit highlights the history of the Revolutionary War with a rare collection of 280 artifacts.

By Jamie Gholson • Posted June 2, 2025 at 12:27 p.m.

Courtesy National Museum of the United States Army

A new exhibit is set to open on June 7 at the National Museum of the United States Army to celebrate the Army’s 250^th anniversary. For a limited time only, the museum will display a rare collection of 280 Revolutionary War artifacts from the original colonies, England, France, and Canada.

The temporary exhibit, Call to Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War, will be available in person and virtually from June 2025 to June 2027. Admission is free for all ages.

Fowler/powder horn at National Army Museum exhibit — *Fowler/Powder Horn of Pvt. Thomas Halsey (Courtesy National Museum of the United States Army)*

One of the rare artifacts presented in the museum is a Fowler/Powder Horn owned by Private Thomas Halsey, a soldier in the war. Private Halsey was part of the regiment that accompanied Ethan Allen in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, an advantage point early in the Revolutionary War.

Blue Book at National Army exhibit — *Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States (Courtesy National Museum of the United States Army)*

Another rare artifact shown is the Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. (It’s also known as the Blue Book.) The museum shows a 1779 original copy written by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben and endorsed by Congress. It served as an instruction manual for the Continental Army as a way to train soldiers in combat and maneuvers.

The exhibit will also share personal soldier’s stories of men and women who fought in it.

Special Events

On the opening weekend, June 7 to 8, visitors will find a schedule of Revolutionary War–themed, family-friendly events. Powder horn carving demonstrations, a family flag activity, and a “tiny troops” story time are just a few of the planned events for both days. On Sunday only, a 6.14-kilometer Army Birthday Road Race run starts at 7 a.m.

Throughout June, the museum will also be hosting various events about the Revolutionary War. This includes a battle brief about the opening shots of the war on June 3 and 10; history talks on Revolutionary spies on June 4, 11, and 18; and a book talk on George Washington’s Momentous Year: Twelve Months that Transformed the Revolution by Gary Ecelbarger on June 19.

National Museum of the United States Army: 1775 Liberty Dr., Ft. Belvoir

Feature image courtesy the National Museum of the United States Army