Building A New Museum
During the 2021 legislative session, the Oklahoma legislature approved changing the name of the Museum from the 45th Infantry Division Museum to the Oklahoma National Guard Museum and raising funds to house a new museum building to serve as a home for the newly refocused Oklahoma National Guard Museum.
As the current museum focuses heavily on the 45th Infantry Division’s service during World War II, the new Oklahoma National Guard Museum will focus on telling the entire story of the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard, from pre-statehood to modern times.
In addition to the many new displays, numerous artifacts from the 45th Infantry Division Museum will continue to be on display. There will also be a variety of interactive displays, which will provide more information about Oklahoma National Guard activities than is currently possible.
The Museum’s current building at 2145 NE 36th Street in Oklahoma City will remain open to visitors as long as possible as the new Museum building is built and exhibits are transferred.
Oklahoma National Guard Museum bids farewell to historic home, embraces new chapter
“Today, we are ceremonially casing the 45th Infantry Division colors to symbolize the closing of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum,” said Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez, keynote speaker of the ceremony and state command sergeant major for the Oklahoma National Guard. “It’s a bittersweet day…this museum has been a reminder and education of why we do what we do. The pride of wearing the uniform every day and the sacrifices of those who came before us…the legacy of the 45th and their valor in World War II.”
