Grand Tour

[PenPusher]

I am trying to organize a tour for my son and myself of Arkansas, Louisiana Missouri, and Texas. I have put together the following list of possible museums and sites to visit but there are probably many more small museums that I am unaware of. I am particularly interested in uniforms, flags and leather (cartridge boxes, cap pouches, belts etc), are there any that you can recommend?

The Alamo
The San Jacinto Battlefield
Texas Civil War Museum
Camp Mabry Texas National Guard
Hill College
Port Hudson
Old Arsenal Museum
La Military Hall-Fame & Museum
Louisiana Military Museum
Jackson Barracks New Orleans
National World War II Museum
Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
Wilson's Creek Missouri, USA
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
Camp Moore Museum
Old State House Museum
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

[Mark Choate]

Re: Grand Tour

Alan,

That is quite an ambitious tour to undertake and a wonderful thing for a father and son to experience. A great selection of sites and I suggest you plan plenty of time to take in the Confederate Memorial Hall museum in N. O. It is a wonderful collection!

One other suggestion, while not technically in the states you are touring, Vicksburg, MS is right on the eastern border of MS and LA. Not sure of your path, but it is a memorable site to visit if your route allows it and was such a pivotal battle/siege.

enjoy,
Mark

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Grand Tour

A great list of museums, and indeed ambitious. If going through Missouri and Arkansas to Texas, you could swing out here to Oklahoma. You have many museums and historic sites;
Old Fort Gibson State Historic Site, near Muskogee, OK established in 1824, Mexican War, Civil War, Indian Wars
Honey Springs State Battlefield, just off I-40 near Checotah, OK, unique battle of mostly Native American and Black troops from July of 1863
45th Infantry Division Museum, Oklahoma City http://www.45thdivisionmuseum.com/index.html
National Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
and finally, down here at Fort Sill, OK we have the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark, the original 1869 post established by Phil Sheridan, George Custer and Ben Grierson http://sill-www.army.mil/museum/
The US Army Field Artillery Museum http://sill-www.army.mil/famuseum/
The US Army Air Defense Artillery Museum http://sill-www.army.mil/adamuseum/

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Grand Tour

Alan-

I would agree with Mark about Vicksburg especially with this being the 150th Anniversary of the battles and siege. There are many memorable things to see while there but one of my personal favorites is the USS Cairo. Many people forget it's located there.

http://www.nps.gov/vick/u-s-s-cairo-gunboat.htm

[David Worsham]

Re: Grand Tour

I would add the following from Louisiana.

Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, LA (Has Kirby Smith's Uniform, a Confederate Submarine recovered from Lake Pontchartrain and other Officer's Uniforms)

Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA (Has an original Confederate Uniform which I believe was domestically produced as opposed to something from a depot and assorted swords, firearms and personal belongings from the War)

[reddcorp]

Re: Grand Tour

While at San Jacinto, do not fail to tour the U.S.S. Texas. It's a bit out the the era, but this battleship's keel was laid down in 1911 I believe and she's the last of her kind. Usually, the guides are men who actually served on her, during WWII. A unique opportunity.
Andy Redd