PA Museums

Exploring the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County

A collage of three photos showcasing the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA. The top image features a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and a Huey helicopter displayed outdoors against a partly cloudy sky. The bottom left image highlights the World War I exhibit inside the museum, featuring historical artifacts and educational panels. The bottom right image shows the entrance sign of the center, providing operational details and welcoming visitors to explore the indoor and outdoor exhibits.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, you’re in the right place!

An indoor exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, titled "From Civilian to Soldier," which explores the transition of individuals into military service. The display includes a large framed service flag with blue stars, personal stories, and artifacts highlighting the emotional and logistical aspects of joining the Army. Adjacent sections delve into historical conflicts like the Spanish-American War, with informational panels, photos, and period artifacts. The immersive exhibit is part of the museum's effort to illustrate the personal and historical dimensions of Army service throughout different eras.

The US Army Heritage Center in Carlisle is a museum offering visitors a deep dive into the history of the United States Army.

A World War I-era tank exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a green, riveted French Renault FT light tank with its distinctive rotating turret. The display includes lifelike mannequins dressed as American soldiers in period uniforms, standing next to the tank, which is positioned against a backdrop of a battlefield scene. A sign near the tank advises visitors not to touch the artifacts, emphasizing the preservation of historical equipment.

The center features both indoor and outdoor exhibits, offering a comprehensive look at the Army’s evolution from its inception during the Revolutionary War to its role in the modern era.

An outdoor display at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter mounted on a stone platform. The helicopter is painted in an olive drab color with a distinctive shark mouth design on the nose, emphasizing its combat role. A nearby informational panel provides details about the helicopter's history and its use by the United States Army. The exhibit is set in an open grassy area surrounded by trees, part of the center's interpretive trail showcasing military equipment and history.

Whether you’re a history buff, a military enthusiast, or simply curious about America’s armed forces, the Heritage Center provides an engaging and educational outing for visitors of all ages.

A recreated World War II-era Army barracks exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring rows of neatly arranged metal-framed beds with green blankets and white pillows inside a wooden structure. The barracks include a central stove for heating, vintage military posters on the walls, and wooden beams and flooring that give an authentic historical feel, offering visitors insight into the living conditions of soldiers during World War II.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees

The US Army Heritage Center is located at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013.

The indoor museum is open Monday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm.

An indoor exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, focusing on the Korean War (1950–1953). The display includes large panels with historical photos, timelines, and quotes from soldiers describing the harsh conditions, such as frozen rations and extreme cold. The exhibit also highlights themes like "The Cold War Heats Up" and "Integration on the Battlefield," showcasing the broader implications of the conflict. Artifacts and images of soldiers in the field provide a vivid depiction of the challenges faced during the war, blending storytelling with historical education.

Buildings along the outdoor Army Heritage Trail are open Monday through Saturday 10 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

A reconstructed Revolutionary War-era blockhouse at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a log cabin-style structure with a sloped roof and overhanging upper level. The blockhouse is surrounded by lush greenery and trees, providing a glimpse into the defensive architecture used by early American settlers and soldiers. An informational panel is positioned nearby, offering historical context for visitors exploring the outdoor interpretive trail.

Visitors are welcome to walk the trail from dawn to dusk.

A Bell UH-1 "Huey" helicopter display at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, mounted on metal supports and painted in its iconic olive drab color. The helicopter, labeled "United States Army," is set against a backdrop of autumn foliage, symbolizing its extensive use during the Vietnam War. An informational panel nearby provides details about the role of Army aviation in Vietnam, enhancing the exhibit's educational value. This outdoor display is part of the center's interpretive trail, showcasing the evolution of U.S. Army aviation.

Both admission and parking are free.

An outdoor display at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a U.S. Army Lance missile mounted on a mobile launcher. The missile, painted in olive drab with military markings, is angled upwards as if ready for deployment. Three flagpoles in the background display the American flag and other military flags, set against a clear blue sky. The exhibit is part of the center's interpretive trail, showcasing Cold War-era technology and the role of missile systems in the U.S. Army's history.

What You’ll See at the US Army Heritage Center

Inside the museum, the primary gallery, “The Soldier Experience,” takes you on a chronological journey through the Army’s history, beginning with the Revolutionary War and continuing through the Global War on Terror.

An exhibit titled "The U.S. Soldier Experience" at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a large timeline detailing the history of U.S. Army soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the modern era. The display includes historical photos of soldiers, from World War I troops in gas masks to modern-day soldiers deploying from a helicopter. Informational panels provide insights into significant conflicts and the evolving role of soldiers. Flanking the timeline are cases with artifacts and a "10 Facts About the U.S. Army" section, enhancing the educational depth of the exhibit.

The exhibit is rich with artifacts, photographs, and multimedia presentations, making history come alive through the voices and stories of soldiers.

An indoor exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, dedicated to World War I, featuring a central stone monument labeled "World War I" adorned with a soldier's helmet and other artifacts. Surrounding walls display a variety of historical photographs, timelines, and educational panels detailing the challenges, events, and experiences of U.S. soldiers during the war. Interactive displays and cases containing period artifacts add depth to the exhibit, creating an immersive and educational environment for visitors.

Interactive displays allow visitors to try on the shoes of a soldier, with opportunities to test marksmanship at a digital shooting range or examine military gear up close.

An interactive exhibit titled "Take Aim: Marksmanship" at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, designed to teach visitors about rifle marksmanship techniques. The display includes educational panels on sight alignment, breathing patterns, and the history of military rifles, such as the M1903 Springfield. The exhibit features a hands-on simulation with a mounted training rifle and digital screens allowing visitors to practice their marksmanship skills in a virtual range. Sandbags and realistic settings enhance the immersive experience, blending education with hands-on learning about Army training methods.

The temporary exhibits often highlight unique aspects of military history, ensuring there’s always something new to explore.

An exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a quote from George Washington dated May 2, 1783, emphasizing the duty of citizens to defend a free government. The display includes a painting of soldiers during the Revolutionary War at Guilford Courthouse and Yorktown, alongside a portrait of a Continental Army officer. Informational panels discuss the historical role of militias in U.S. conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to the Spanish-American War, highlighting their evolution and importance in augmenting the regular Army. This exhibit connects the legacy of citizen-soldiers with the broader history of the U.S. Army.

A highlight for many visitors is the gift shop, which boasts an extensive selection of military history books, Army apparel, and unique memorabilia, making it easy to take a piece of the experience home.

The gift shop at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring shelves filled with books on military history, biographies, and significant battles. The display includes titles such as "Lincoln and His Admirals" and "Pickett's Charge," alongside other educational materials and souvenirs. In the corner, a mannequin dressed in a ghillie suit adds a thematic military touch to the space. The room combines a welcoming atmosphere with a focus on learning and exploration of U.S. Army history.

The Army Heritage Trail

The Army Heritage Trail, the outdoor portion of the center, is a mile-long path that serves as an open-air museum.

Along this trail, visitors encounter full-scale replicas and reconstructions of important military sites and equipment spanning nearly every era of Army history.

A reconstructed Revolutionary War-era redoubt at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring an earthen mound surrounded by a wooden palisade. A wooden bridge provides access to the redoubt, which includes a cannon and a tall flagpole. The background showcases a mix of autumn foliage and distant mountains, with other historical displays visible nearby. This exhibit is part of the outdoor interpretive trail, illustrating the defensive strategies employed during the American Revolution.

From stepping inside a Revolutionary War redoubt to exploring a Western Front trench system from World War I, the exhibits allow guests to experience history firsthand.

A World War I trench system exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a reconstructed wooden trench with a narrow boardwalk running through it. The trench walls are made of weathered wooden planks reinforced with angled support beams, replicating the appearance of battlefield defenses. The open sky above adds to the immersive feel of the exhibit, highlighting the historical conditions faced by soldiers during the war.

The Vietnam-era fire support base is particularly striking, featuring howitzers, a Huey helicopter, and other artifacts from the period.

An outdoor exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring two artillery pieces set on display in front of a reconstructed wooden firebase structure with a corrugated metal roof and an elevated observation platform. The scene, part of the interpretive trail, evokes the environment of a Vietnam War-era firebase. Surrounding trees and a partly cloudy sky provide a natural backdrop to the historical display, emphasizing the educational focus of the exhibit.

Additionally, the WWII induction center and the modern Global War on Terrorism base provide a vivid contrast between past and present military practices.

An outdoor exhibit at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, recreating a forward operating base (FOB) from the Global War on Terrorism. The display features Hesco barriers, shipping containers, wooden seating, and a camouflage net canopy providing shade. The sandy ground and functional design of the setup reflect the conditions of military outposts in combat zones. This immersive exhibit is part of the interpretive trail, offering visitors insight into the living and working environments of U.S. soldiers during modern military operations.

Large artifacts like the M4 Sherman Tank and M60 Patton Tank, displayed alongside artillery and aircraft, offer a tangible sense of the Army’s technological evolution over time.

An outdoor display at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring an M4 Sherman tank, a key armored vehicle used by the United States during World War II. The tank is painted in olive drab with white military markings, including a star and the number "30" on the front. It is positioned on a concrete platform with an informational panel nearby, set against a backdrop of open grass, a walking path, and a clear sky. This exhibit is part of the center's interpretive trail, showcasing iconic military equipment and its historical significance.

Final Thoughts

The US Army Heritage Center masterfully combines education with an interactive and engaging experience.

A display at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring an M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle in a desert camouflage scheme. The exhibit includes an informational panel detailing the history, design, and use of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle from 1981 to the present. The vehicle is situated on a paved platform within a grassy outdoor setting, part of the center's interpretive trail showcasing key equipment and moments in U.S. Army history.

Indoors and out, visitors are transported through history in a way that is both personal and memorable.

An outdoor display at the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA, featuring a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun mounted on tracks. The vehicle, painted in military green with its gun turret partially covered, is positioned on a concrete platform. Nearby, an iconic Bell UH-1 "Huey" helicopter is mounted on display, emphasizing the evolution of U.S. Army equipment. An informational panel stands in front of the anti-aircraft gun, set against a backdrop of grassy terrain and a cloudy sky. This exhibit is part of the interpretive trail showcasing significant military hardware and its historical context.

Whether you’re learning about the soldiers’ experiences or walking the Army Heritage Trail, the center offers an unparalleled opportunity to honor the legacy of the U.S. Army while gaining a deeper understanding of its contributions to the nation.

PA’s Best Military-Themed Attractions is a guide to some of Pennsylvania’s most-interesting battlefields, forts, military museums, and other military-themed attractions.

A collage of 4 photos featuring images from some of Pennsylvania's best military-themed attractions.

Nearby Attractions

The Molly Pitcher monument and grave site in Carlisle offers a poignant glimpse into the life of one of America’s most-celebrated Revolutionary War heroines.

A collage of four photos featuring the Molly Pitcher monument and gravesite in Old Cemetery, Carlisle, PA. The top left image shows the statue of Molly Pitcher standing on a pedestal with an American flag beside it, surrounded by gravestones. The top right image is an illustration of Molly Pitcher operating a cannon during the Battle of Monmouth. The bottom left image shows a raised relief plaque on the monument depicting Molly Pitcher in battle, aiding with the cannon amid fallen soldiers. The bottom right image captures the monument from a different angle, highlighting the statue, the pedestal, and the surrounding cemetery with gravestones and American flags.

Hammonds Rocks in Cumberland County is a 600-million-year-old geological formation and roadside attraction in the Michaux State Forest.

A collage of four photos highlighting the unique features of Hammonds Rocks in Michaux State Forest, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The images include a person standing on a large rock face surrounded by pines and autumn leaves, a panoramic view from the top of the rugged rock formations overlooking forested hills under a vivid blue sky, a pathway winding through towering boulders, and a striking tilted rock formation showcasing the dramatic layers of the 600-million-year-old Weverton Formation. The photos capture the natural beauty and geological intrigue of this "rock castle," a popular destination for hikers and explorers.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

A collage showcasing the beauty of Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County, PA, featuring: (top left) a wooden bench overlooking a reflective lake with autumn-colored trees, (top right) a rugged overlook with rocks and a lone pine tree against a landscape of rolling hills and a blue sky with fluffy clouds, (bottom left) an Appalachian Trail Museum sign in front of a historic stone building surrounded by lush greenery, and (bottom right) a serene lake scene with a mirror-like reflection of fall foliage on the water's surface.

Exploring an Abandoned POW Camp in Cumberland County is your guide to a formerly-secret POW camp in the Michaux State Forest, used to house German and Japanese POWs during World War Two.

Ruins of the secret POW interrogation camp in the MIchaux State Forest.

The Cameron-Masland Mansion at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, a historic stone villa perched on a Cumberland County mountaintop, offers a scenic overlook that captures the essence of Pennsylvania’s picturesque outdoors.

A collage of photos from the Cameron-Masland Mansion Scenic Overlook at Kings Gap Environmental Center in Cumberland County PA

Colonel Denning Sta t e Park in Cumberland County is a 273 acre wilderness haven that offers a diverse range of activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

A collage of four photos showcasing Colonel Denning State Park in Cumberland County, PA. Top left: A vibrant autumn scene by a lake with golden leaves framing the tranquil water. Top right: A hiker stands on a rocky overlook, gazing out over a lush, green valley under a clear blue sky. Bottom left: A gravel nature trail marked by a sign winds through a forest with sunlight filtering through the green foliage. Bottom right: A wooden viewing platform at the edge of a serene lake surrounded by dense trees with the sun casting a warm glow over the scene.

Attending a Carlisle Events Car Show in Cumberland County shows you what it’s like to attend what have become some of the largest car shows in the United States, held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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