Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society

📣 Attention all history students pursuing a master's or doctorate degree in history, museum studies, archaeology, or a related field! It's time to apply for the Richard C. Maguire Scholarship!

✨Applications are due on July 15th!

Apply here! 👉 https://arsenalhistoricalsociety.org/join-and-give/RIA-Historical-Society/

The Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society is excited to provide financial assistance to 1 lucky student studying history or a related field (archaeology, museum studies, anthropology, geography).

Rock Island Arsenal Museum
WIU - Museum Studies
Iowa Museum Association
Association of Midwest Museums
Illinois Association of Museums

Ribbon cutting ceremony officially opens Mark VIII Liberty Tank display Officials from Rock Island Arsenal cut the ribbon on the Mark VIII Liberty Tank display on the installation today. “It is entirely an industrial marvel...

Mark VIII Liberty Tank to be unveiled at Rock Island Arsenal Museum A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mark VIII Liberty Tank will be held on April 30.

A huge “tank” you to everyone who came to our Welcome Home, Mark party!!! We’re so excited to share this important piece of history back to Rock Island Arsenal!

Want to see the tank up close? Come to the official ribbon cutting ceremony this Tuesday at 11:00 at the intersection of Rodman Ave and Gillespie Ave!

Kickin’ off the Welcome Home, Mark Party!!🎉 Come join us Front Street Brewery

👏Congratulations to RIAHS Board Treasurer George Eaton for receiving the Edwin H. Simmons Memorial Award last Friday at the Annual Meeting of The Society for Military History!

The award is for long term outstanding service to the SMH.

Join us Tuesday, April 2 for the ribbon cutting on the Rock Island Arsenal's newest vehicle display, the Mark VIII Liberty Tank. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the display at Constitution Square (corner of Rodman and Gillespie Avenues).

“We had such a honking good time on our first visit, we had to fly the coop and visit again.” - Fowl review on Avian Advisor🪿

Return visitors came flocking to the Musuem right at 10am.

We are open today, 10am to 4pm, stop on by.

👉 The Mark VIII Liberty Tank, produced at Rock Island Arsenal between 1919 and 1920, is an impressive 34 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 10 feet tall!

The M1 Abrams, used by the U.S. military today is just slightly smaller than the Mark VIII.

When it comes to weight? At 66 tons, the M1 Abrams is nearly twice as heavy as the Mark VIII. It's as heavy as 14 African elephants! 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

🇺🇸 Learn more about the Mark VIII Liberty Tank, its connection to Rock Island Arsenal, and ongoing efforts to share its remarkable history by visiting https://arsenalhistoricalsociety.org/

📣 Visitors to the Rock Island Arsenal will soon get to see 1 of only 3 Mark VIII Liberty Tanks in the world. And we need your help to tell its remarkable story!

The Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society is accepting donations to purchase interpretive signage for an outdoor exhibit that will feature an original Mark VIII Liberty Tank undergoing restoration. The Mark VIII was produced at Rock Island Arsenal between 1919 and 1920 and was critical to post-WWI military training efforts. 🇺🇸

🎯 Our Goal: $5,000

💰 Contributors of $50 or more will receive an exclusive Mark VIII challenge coin!

👉 Donate Here: http://tinyurl.com/2zkxrmx9

❓Questions about this fundraiser can be directed to [email protected].

The Museum will remain closed due to the ongoing inclement weather.

We will reopen on Tuesday, January 16th.

Please stay safe! 🌨❄️⛄️🌬

Calling all visitors! Rocky the Elf is pleased to announce our brand new museum activity book. Upon completion you’ll earn a official wooden Rock Island Arsenal Graduate Apprentice badge! The program is free and open to all ages.

Rock Island Arsenal calling in a helping hand from friends up north This year the Rock Island Arsenal has had some assistance this holiday season from Rocky the Elf. He's been seen throughout the base including in their museum.

One of the most unique products made at Rock Island Arsenal is the Gettysburg Address plaque found at every National Cemetery.

Since 1909, the Arsenal has produced these plaques bearing the words spoken 160 years ago by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of the "Soldier's National Cemetery" at Gettysburg, PA.

As recently as 2009, the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center has produced the plaques for National Cemeteries.

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum will be closed this week for scheduled maintenance from Tuesday, October 24th through Friday, October 27th.

We will reopen on Saturday, October 28th.

Put down the pumpkin spice latte, the spooky season is here. 🎃

Today is Friday the 13th, and within our museum collection we have plenty of knives and face coverings to keep Jason Voorhees occupied…🔪🩸💀

in 1918, Cora De Wilfond became the first woman motorcycle driver employed at Rock Island Arsenal. She ran errands from Storehouse A to various points on the island and surrounding area. Before she was permitted to drive the motorcycle, she had to take a special driving course at the golf course.

To learn more about Cora and the fascinating stories of the Arsenal's workforce, visit the Rock Island Arsenal Museum! Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm.



[Pictured: Cora De Wilfond in her regulation uniform standing next to the motorcycle she drove at the Arsenal, ca. 1918]

We're saddened to share that Anne Jochum, a valued member of RIAHS, has passed away. Anne's unwavering dedication, alongside her husband Jim's leadership as a former RIAHS President, has been instrumental in carrying out our mission to support the Rock Island Arsenal Museum for over a decade.

We extend our deepest condolences to Jim and his family. Anne's presence will be deeply missed.

Anne's obituary can be found here for those who wish to learn more about her colorful life. https://tinyurl.com/ycktnn4r

In lieu of flowers, Jim and his family request that you consider "making a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Dementia Society of America, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf, Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society, or, most importantly to Anne, be a good person for the world."

The RIAHS will make a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association in Anne's honor. Links for donations are in the comments below.

🇺🇸 Today we remember the lives lost on 9/11 and the strength of our nation in the face of adversity.

Today, 8 September, RIAHS hosted the Illinois State Bar Association Continuing Legal Event (CLE) session here at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum on Rock Island Arsenal, focusing on former US President Abraham Lincoln, his early career, and role in the historical Effie Afton case.

In attendance today were members of the ISBA from across the state of Illinois, as well as Military members from First Army and Army Sustainment Command Judge Advocate General's Corps offices.

Shown below is Mr. Peter Rotskoff, from the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission in Springfield, IL, presenting to the group on Contemporary Ethical Issues in Law Practice.

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum will be CLOSED on Friday, September 8th for a private event.

The Museum will resume normal hours, 10am - 4pm on Saturday, September 9th.

Do you have a passion for history? Do you like sharing it with others? If the answer is YES, consider volunteering at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum.

For more information about volunteer opportunities contact us at [email protected]

✨What a way to kick off the 2023 Rock Island Arsenal Museum Grand Opening! We had a blast last night at the Grand Opening Gala!

✂️ Next up is the ribbon cutting today at 10:30! We can wait to see you there!

A very special THANK YOU to our community sponsor, Nate Neighbour, Modern Woodmen of America - your support made the evening possible. 💙💚

We would also like to thank Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club - RIAWC, Rock Island Arsenal, and Rock Island Auction - Collector Fi****ms. Having you all there made this event extra special and we couldn’t have done it without you!

👋 Hey RIA Museum lovers! The Quad-City Times' Readers' Choice competition is underway, and we need help to make the Rock Island Arsenal Museum a top contender for the BEST MUSEUM in the Quad Cities! 🏆🏛️

Here's what we need from you:
1️. Visit https://tinyurl.com/bdew3dap to get started.
2️. Choose the "Attractions & Entertainment" category.
3️. Scroll down and find the "Museums" section.
4. Click the blue "nominate" button beside Rock Island Arsenal Museum!
5️. Create a free account and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card if you nominate 24 other QC businesses! 💰

⏰ Time is ticking, as nominations end on June 25th. Help us secure a spot in the top 5 and give the RIA Museum the recognition it deserves.🌟

Tomorrow morning at 8am, Rock Island Arsenal Museum Director, Patrick, and Arsenal Historical Society Board member Amanda Siegner will be on KWQC TV6 News INSI6GHT program to talk about the Museum and the Historical Society and their activities leading up to the reopening of the Museum on 29 June.

INSIGHT