Heading to Yellowstone National Park this summer? Well, we’ve uncovered a must-see national treasure located close to Yellowstone that you certainly won’t want to miss! Allow us to introduce you to the newly opened National Museum of Military Vehicles located just southeast of Dubois, Wyoming. Recognized as one of the 10 best new attractions in the U.S. for 2020 by USA Today and having won a 2022 Traveler’s Choice award, this world-class military history museum is certainly spectacular. You’ll find 140,000 square feet of exhibits and galleries boasting nearly 500 fully restored military vehicles, artillery pieces, naval vessels, and aircraft (dating from 1897 to the modern era) as well as a sizable, historic firearm collection. Ready to learn more? Prepare to be impressed. More like this:Why You Should Spend A Day At The USS Midway Museum This Summer

The National Museum of Military Vehicles Founder: Dan Starks

So, who owns the National Museum of Military Vehicles? Allow us to introduce the museum's generous founder, Dan Starks, who graciously participated in a personal interview for this piece. Dan’s interest in U.S. military history began in childhood when he developed a passion for reading about the subject at the young age of eight. Acquiring his first tank in 2010, his initial goal was simply to drive this tank in the Dubois 4th of July parade. Jumping ahead a bit, Dan’s collection steadily grew to include 498 military vehicles, presently making it the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world. Starks didn’t set out to open a museum, but as word of mouth spread about his collection, public interest rose. “As more people came to see my collection of vehicles, it became clear that these vehicles and their stories resonate with the public and that the public would appreciate having these vehicles and their stories memorialized and shared in perpetuity in a museum,” Starks explained. And, although the acquisition of this collection certainly had a hefty price tag, Dan stresses the intrinsic value of the vehicles: “The value of this collection is not the vehicles themselves. Instead, the value of the vehicles is the way they help bring to life the stories of the Americans who served in them.”

The Museum’s Mission

Read next:Veterans Heritage Project Helps New Generations Honor Veterans

The Museum’s 2022 Grand Opening

The National Museum of Military Vehicles celebrated its official Grand Opening during Memorial Day weekend in 2022. Although this date was postponed a full two years due to COVID restrictions, Dan acknowledges the silver lining in this delay, as the museum was able to celebrate the opening with all of its galleries finished and operating. These include galleries covering WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Additionally, the Unknown Soldiers Weapons Vault, the Outdoor Wall of Reflection, and the gallery of rotating exhibits are displays you’ll want to check out.

The Founder’s Favorite Gallery

The Founder’s Favorite Artifact

Dan told us about a remarkable national treasure on display in this Dubois military museum: “One of my favorite artifacts in the museum is the musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. I never imagined that this musket would be available for me to acquire and share in the museum. The musket symbolizes the beginning of the U.S., the reason we have a Second Amendment, and the role of the citizen soldier in creating and preserving the freedom of the U.S.”

Location, Hours, Tickets & Tours

The National Museum of Military Vehicles is located at 6419 US Highway 26 in Dubois, WY 82513. It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although the museum is closed on Independence Day, don’t let that stop you from experiencing the fun! Each July 4, the museum participates in the Dubois Town Fourth of July Parade by driving several must-see vehicles in the lineup. Tickets can be purchased on the museum’s website, nmmv.org, and are free for U.S. Military Veterans and active-duty personnel. Interested in getting the most out of your visit to the National Military Vehicle museum? We suggest taking part in one of the free daily guided tours (no pre-registration required). Private tours are also available for groups or school field trips.

Moving the Museum Ahead: What’s Next?

According to Mr. Starks, plans for expansion are already underway. Over the next 10 years, the National Museum of Military Vehicles will get some exciting additions. In honor of Pascal Poolaw, the most decorated American Indian in U.S. history, the first project will be a 20,000-square-foot Poolaw Building, opening September 1, 2022. In addition, building expansion is planned to house additional galleries covering the Cold War, the two Gulf Wars, the Global War on Terror, and the history of American Freedom.

While You’re in Wyoming…

After you’ve explored the National Museum of Military Vehicles, you might be interested in visiting other military museums. Wyoming certainly has you covered. Before you head home, consider stopping at a few more local gems like the Wyoming National Guard Museum and the Wyoming Military Memorial Museum. Related read:Drive a Tank at the American Heritage Museum

Image: Cowboy State Daily