See the history of the oldest state-sponsored military college in the VMI Museum

           Dating back to 1845, the Virginia Military Institute Museum tells the fascinating story of the nation’s first and oldest state- sponsored military college. The very first artifact in a collection which today numbers in the thousands was piece of a musket from the Jamestown settlement dating to 1607. The VMI Superintendent (president) declared that the artifact would speak with a “touching and eloquent voice” to future generations of cadets and visitors. During the Civil War, the military college was ravaged by Federal troops, but the college and the museum would be rebuilt. 
             While the Jamestown musket is gone, today the museum houses the world-famous Henry M. Stewart Antique Firearms Collection. Over 450 rare and one-of-a kind firearms trace the development of multiple shot revolvers and rifles. The heart of the collection is a display of twenty “Paterson” Colts made by Samuel Colt in the late 1830s. The collection also includes unique historic “air” guns which used compressed air instead of powder to “fire” a bullet. In addition, a number of United States patent models relating to firearms are on exhibit.

 

            The VMI Museum is also home to one the most famous horses in the world, “Little Sorrel,” Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson’s warhorse. When Little Sorrel died in 1886, his hide was mounted on a life-like frame. The uniform Jackson wore at the Battle of Manassas when he received his nickname “Stonewall” is also exhibited, along with the coat he was wearing when he was mortally wounded.
        Inspect the sword carried by the ‘Pathfinder of the Seas’ Matthew Fontaine Maury and the huge pearl and diamond brooch presented to the Maury’s by the Czar of Russia. View the famous shiny helmet and VMI dress uniform of WWII “Blood and Guts” Gen. George S. Patton (VMI 1907). Imagine the months of isolation and frigid cold endured by polar explorer Adm. Richard E. Byrd (VMI 1908) as you view his Medal of Honor.
             The museum is located in Memorial Hall on the VMI Post.  An elevator provides easy access to all floors.
            Visit the museum’s website at http://www.vmi.edu/museums-and-archives/vmi-museum/  (handicapped accessible.)