PA Museums

“This We’ll Defend” | Carlisle Hosts Army’s 250th Birthday Exhibit

Collage of four photos from the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, featuring a promotional poster for the exhibit, a display case of military artifacts selected by the Army War College Command Group, a tattered American flag paired with a ceremonial saber and scabbard, and the exterior entrance of the Army Heritage and Education Center.

The United States Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle is unveiling a powerful new exhibit titled This We’ll Defend on June 14, 2025, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday!

Entrance sign for the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA, announcing the celebration of 250 years of Army history.

The United States Army was founded by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, as the Continental Army to fight in the American Revolutionary War.

Framed oil painting by Don Troiani titled “Unlocking the Frontier” depicting British troops and Native American allies at Fort Detroit in 1760, highlighting the cultural clash and military transition during the colonial era, featured in the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

This immersive exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore the Army’s deep-rooted legacy through rare artifacts, personal stories, and hands-on experiences.

Display case labeled “USAHEC Command Group” at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit in Carlisle, PA, featuring a statue of Abraham Lincoln, military uniforms, a modern assault rifle, and photos and artifacts curated by the command team to highlight leadership, legacy, and the evolving story of the U.S. Army over its 250-year history.

It’s a fitting tribute to the oldest and most enduring branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Close-up of a Civil War-era cannonball labeled as solid shot flattened by impact with the ironclad Merrimac during the 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads, displayed at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA.

In addition to This We’ll Defend, the United States Army Heritage and Education Center features a wide variety of other indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore – you can check out my article about the rest of the museum HERE.

A collage of four photos showcasing the US Army Heritage Center in Cumberland County, PA. The top left image features a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and a Huey helicopter on display outdoors. The top right image shows artillery cannons and a watchtower reminiscent of a Vietnam-era firebase exhibit. The bottom left image captures an indoor World War I exhibit with detailed information panels and artifacts. The bottom right image depicts the center’s entrance sign, providing operational details and emphasizing its open-to-the-public status.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees

The United States Army Heritage and Education Center is located at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013.

The exhibit opens on June 14, 2025, immediately following a brief ceremony at 10 a.m.

Promotional artwork for the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA, featuring a vintage-style illustration of a smiling soldier in uniform cupping his hand to his mouth, with bold text announcing the celebration of 250 years of Army history and the exhibit's opening date of June 14, 2025.

It is then open the same hours as the rest of the museum: Monday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm | Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm.

Exterior view of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, showing the main entrance to the facility where the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit is featured in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States Army.

Both admission and parking are free at the museum.

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 “This We’ll Defend” Exhibit

The exhibit is named after the Army’s official motto, “This We’ll Defend,” which dates back to the founding of the Continental Army in 1775.

The official emblem of the United States Army displayed on a black background with a yellow ribbon beneath it reading EST. THIS WE’LL DEFEND 1775, as seen at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

“This We’ll Defend” expresses more than a slogan—it is a solemn oath sworn by every Soldier, representing the Army’s enduring commitment to protect the nation, its values, and its citizens.

Promotional artwork for the exhibit “This We’ll Defend: Celebrating 250 Years of Army History,” featuring soldiers operating a large artillery gun against a backdrop of clouds and sky, with exhibit details and location at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Visitors enter the exhibit through a replica 18th-century tavern modeled after the historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

Exterior view of the replica 18th-century-style tavern entrance to the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA, featuring rustic wood siding, green-trimmed windows, and a glimpse of a colonial hearth inside.

Taverns like this played an essential role in colonial resistance, serving as community centers where court proceedings, town meetings, and revolutionary debates unfolded.

Recreated colonial-era tavern room featuring a wooden dining table with chairs, a red bench, a large brick hearth, and rustic decor, representing the type of meeting place where American revolutionaries gathered to plan the fight for independence, on display at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

From there, visitors progress into a gallery inspired by the Assembly Room of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where they encounter displays personally curated by members of the USAHEC team.

A museum display case labeled Education and Exhibits showcasing a preserved American flag, a decorated military medal shadow box, historical documents, and personal artifacts from U.S. Army service members, featured as part of the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Each artifact was thoughtfully chosen to reflect a unique connection to the Army’s legacy and the curators’ dedication to preserving that story.

Display cases filled with Army memorabilia, including uniforms, documents, and artifacts, beneath a wall that reads “Army History is American History,” at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Among the exhibit’s standouts is General Omar Bradley’s M1 helmet, worn during the D-Day assault and throughout World War II.

World War II-era M1 helmet adorned with four silver stars representing General Omar Bradley’s rank, displayed in the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Nearby, a bundle of French soil given to a Gold Star mother by the mothers of France honors the memory of her fallen son from World War I.

Red, white, and blue ribbon tied around a cloth bundle containing French soil, a World War I memorial gift to American Gold Star mother Esther Tennyson honoring her son Corporal Joseph E. Tennyson, featured in the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

A stunning presentation-grade saber and scabbard belonging to then-Colonel H. Judson Kilpatrick of the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry in 1862 brings Civil War traditions into sharp focus.

Display case featuring an ornate presentation-grade saber and scabbard awarded to Colonel H. Judson Kilpatrick of the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War, part of the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The exhibit even includes an autographed photo of Elvis Presley posed with his Stutz Blackhawk, gifted to General Bradley—an intersection of pop culture and military legacy.

Autographed photo of Elvis Presley standing beside his Stutz Blackhawk with a personalized message to General Omar Bradley, featured in the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Artifacts in this room vary in era and theme, but all share a deep personal significance.

Tattered U.S. flag with faded colors and missing stripes, displayed alongside a presentation saber and scabbard, symbolizing resilience and patriotism, featured in the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Whether it’s a field jacket worn in combat, a hand-drawn battlefield map, or a wartime keepsake, each item adds a thread to the Army’s story.

A display case labeled USAWC Command Group featuring a military jacket with patches, a four-star general’s helmet, a vintage backpack, handwritten documents, and a fishbowl filled with uniform name tapes, part of the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Touchscreen displays invite guests to learn more about what they’re seeing, while thoughtfully written interpretive signs offer deeper historical context.

Interactive touchscreen display at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit featuring an image of a ceremonial Army sword and the prompt “To Find Out More Touch Here,” inviting visitors to explore additional information about the U.S. Army’s 250-year history at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

For those who have served, have family in the military, or simply want to better understand the Army’s impact on our nation, this exhibit is both educational and emotional.

Display case labeled “Operations” showcasing a wide array of U.S. Army artifacts including a camouflage uniform, green beret, recoilless rifle, Civil War-era musket, combat boots, armored vehicle photo, rank insignia, and memorabilia from notable service members, featured in the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Final Thoughts

This We’ll Defend is a must-see experience that honors the Army’s proud legacy while inviting reflection on the people and events that shaped it.

Framed 19th-century flag of the Shippensburg Troop of Horse on display at the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit in Carlisle, PA, featuring a mounted soldier in full dress uniform and accompanied by a placard describing the flag’s hometown significance and patriotic symbolism.

As the Army celebrates 250 years of service, the United States Army Heritage and Education Center offers a stirring window into that journey.

A large outdoor banner on the brick exterior of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, featuring vintage Army tents, American flags, and bold text reading “Explore Army History,” promoting the “This We’ll Defend” exhibit celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army.

Nearby Attractions

12 Must-See Attractions in Cumberland County is your guide to even more attractions near the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

A collage of four photos highlighting attractions in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a serene lake surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage, with a wooden bench overlooking the water. The top right image shows a Civil War memorial in a cemetery, with a statue of a soldier, an American flag flying above, and headstones and memorial markers in the foreground. The bottom left image displays a preserved World War II Sherman tank on a concrete platform, set against a bright sky and open landscape. The bottom right image captures a bustling car show with colorful classic and modern vehicles, vendor tents, and crowds of visitors at a large outdoor venue.

PA’s Best Military-Themed Attractions features an interactive map and guide to 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.

Find even more amazing places to check out all over Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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