The Oklahoma National Guard has officially opened a new museum in Oklahoma City, marking a major investment in the preservation of the state’s military heritage and the expansion of public education surrounding the role of the Guard in both wartime and domestic operations.
The new Oklahoma National Guard Museum was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by military leaders, civic officials and project partners. The opening represents the completion of a multi-year development designed to modernise exhibition capabilities while safeguarding historic collections linked to Oklahoma’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen.
Located south of the Oklahoma Military Department on Northeast Grand Boulevard, the 39,375-square-foot facility has been constructed by Hensel Phelps Construction Company and is being positioned as a leading example for National Guard museums across the United States.
The museum replaces the institution’s previous home, a 1930s Works Progress Administration armory that had housed the collection for nearly five decades. The transition follows a groundbreaking ceremony in 2024 and the ceremonial casing of the colours in 2025 as preparations began for the relocation of exhibits and archives.
Dr. Denise Neil, executive director of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum, said the move was driven by the need to better preserve and present the organisation’s growing historical collection.
“The idea was that we needed a new building to house the museum’s collection so that we could tell a better story of the Oklahoma National Guard,” said Dr. Denise Neil, the OKNG Museum’s executive director, who has helped guide the institution into this new chapter. “We love our historic building, and it has great history to the Guard, but it also has challenges, and a new building will allow us to do a better job.”
Originally established in 1974 as the 45th Infantry Division Museum, the institution was officially renamed the Oklahoma National Guard Museum following legislation passed by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 2021. The rebranding reflected a broader mission to recognise the full history of both the Army and Air National Guard within the state, from the territorial militia formed in 1890 through to modern operations.
The expanded museum now includes approximately 20,000 square feet of upgraded exhibition space featuring modern graphics, enhanced display cases and audio-visual technology intended to improve visitor engagement.
Several longstanding exhibits have been transferred to the new facility, including tributes to 12 Medal of Honor recipients, the Jordan B. Reaves American Military Weapons Collection and Bill Mauldin’s World War II cartoons. Exhibits documenting the 45th Infantry Division’s liberation of the Dachau concentration camp have also been preserved within the updated space.
However, museum leadership said the new venue allows for a broader narrative that extends beyond military conflict.
“We are expanding beyond telling the story of war so that we can tell the story of how the Guard responds to natural and manmade disasters,” Neil said.
The museum now places increased emphasis on the Guard’s domestic operations, including emergency responses to the 1995 Murrah Bombing as well as tornadoes, floods and wildfires. Officials believe the wider focus will help visitors better understand the dual responsibilities carried out by the National Guard at both state and federal level.
In addition to exhibition galleries, the development includes climate-controlled storage facilities intended to protect historical artefacts for future generations. The site also features a 10,000-square-foot event and education centre equipped with classroom facilities and a large hall designed for public programmes and community events.
Outdoor displays remain a key feature of the museum grounds, with tanks, artillery systems, trucks and aircraft continuing to form part of the visitor experience.
Military leaders described the opening as an important long-term investment in public education and heritage preservation.
“This building will continue to share the legacy of the 45th and the Oklahoma National Guard for generations to come,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, the adjutant general for Oklahoma. “I want to thank the support from Governor Stitt and the legislators that made this happen. This is a truly remarkable facility for the public to tour for decades to come.”
The Oklahoma National Guard Museum is open to the public free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, with operating hours varying throughout the week.
