We have visited the museum several times. There is so much to see that one visit isn't enough. Whenever we are headed into the downtown area my teenage son always wants to stop in and look around.
I was exploring the town on a Sunday and the museum was closed. I did get to see the tanks through the fence around the back of the museum in the parking lot though. Very nice! The muriel on the side of the building was excellent also.
Dad and I ,with my future son in law enjoyed the 'easy road' down History lane. If you are looking for a nice easy break from the normal routine, this museum is pretty awesome and filled with credible data and artifacts. Dad and I are both veterans and we quickly made a connections with the military details, yet our 'guest' also enjoyed the well placed collection of exhibits and found it comfortable to ask questions along the stroll. It's not a children's museum, so be careful to discuss the horrors of war first before bringing in young ones.
My wife and I were in Abilene for the day. Since my dad was a World War II veteran and part of the D-Day invasion and myself being a veteran, we thought it would be nice to visit this museum. First, the credit card machine wouldn't work, therefore they were unable to collect our admission. Secondly, the gentleman in charge never said a word to us. The poor lady working up front didn't know what to do. She called the gentleman in the back, who never said a word to us, about the machine not working. She got no help from him. Instead of her welcoming us to the museum she just looked at us and said she didn't know what to do, so we just politely said we would go have lunch. We are still baffled at this scenario. We have traveled around the world and never been treated like this in a Museum
What a wonderful museum just FULL of artifacts. There are 3 levels and a real history enthusiast could take at least 1/2 day really reading everything. We had 2 kids with us so we only took a couple of hours. Would definitely return if ever in Abilene again.
The history of the 12th Armored Division in WW II in pictures and artifacts are the best. Well organized and interesting exhibits included with a small holocaust exhibit.
This was a very good display of the 12th Armored division short history. They played an important part in winning WWII. Good photos, displays, information. Three floors of items. Don't miss any. The only thing I would suggest is that they add some information for us non military people to help understand some of the acknomyns. The staff was fiendly and unlike the poor review they were able to run my credit card and the getlement in the back was very helpful and gave us a some background on the museum. Also, there is a very good display of how our troops discovered and apprehended those responsible for killing thousands in the consentration camps (so sad to see how cruel the SS was). Don't miss this one and plan on 2 to three hours to see this. Don't worry there is free parking and chairs along the way to rest :) .
This museum has done a very good job of honoring a part of our military. There are several things to look at, but there is also a lot of reading. The dioramas in the basement were very well done. There are a few military vehicles in the back to look at also.
We visited the museum on a Tuesday right as it opened and had convenient free parking right across the street. The museum takes about 2 to 3 hours to see from start to finish and there is a lot of information to take in and digest. The nice lady that handled ticket sales and started us with the introductory movie in the first room told us that there is a basement level that is being worked on to be opened up eventually for a museum expansion. There were a few vehicles parked outside in the back of the museum that you could go and view, but they are in fairly poor condition and are in the process of being restored. There were two jeeps though that were in pristine condition. There were quite a bit of uniforms, and other artifacts of American and German army on display and several installations showing command post tents, observation posts, POW barracks, etc. A separate section for the liberation of a concentration camp by the 12th armored division had a warning that it may not be appropriate for young children was also there. Small store at the end of the museum had books and several models of German and American tanks and vehicles for sale.
It doesn't seem that way from the outside, but this museum is quite large. Lots of interesting exhibits. I was very surprised that Abilene had a museum of this caliber. If you really want to see everything the museum has to offer, and read up on the different artifacts, make sure you have at least a few hours free. The staff is also very friendly and happy to answer any questions.