The Virginia Military Institute Museum tells the fascinating and compelling 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 a musket fragment 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. Although the Institute was ravaged by Federal troops during the Civil War, both the college and the museum endured and were rebuilt.
While the Jamestown musket is gone, today the museum houses the world-famous Henry M. Stewart Antique Firearms Collection. Featuring over 450 rare and one-of-a kind firearms, the collection traces 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,” the warhorse of Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson. When Little Sorrel died in 1886, his hide was mounted on a life-like frame. Nearby is the uniform Jackson wore at the Battle of Manassas when he received his nickname “Stonewall,” along with the coat he wore when he was mortally wounded.
Inspect the sword carried by the “Pathfinder of the Seas” Matthew Fontaine Maury and the magnificent pearl and diamond brooch presented to Mrs. Maury by the Czar of Russia. General Geroge Marshall, VMI Class of 1901 and the namesake of the post-WWII “Marshall Plan,” is featured in the museum. View the famous shiny helmet and VMI dress uniform of WWII’s “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, one of seven alumni to receive this distinction.
The museum is located in Memorial Hall on the VMI Post, and is open 9-5, seven days a week. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for youth ages 6–12. Children under six are admitted free of charge. Residents of Buena Vista, Lexington, and Rockbridge County receive free admission. Visitors can save up to 30% with a bundled ticket that includes admission to the Jackson House Museum, the VMI Museum, and the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Group rates are available with advance reservations.
For more information, go to http://www.vmi.edu/museums-and-archives/vmi-museum/
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