U S Army Ordnance Museum

Bldg 2601
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-5201
(410) 278-3602
http://ordmusfound.org/

The U.S. Army Ordnance Corps dates back to the American Revolution, with the first powder magazine established at Carlisle Barracks in 1777 (see elsewhere in this guide). This and other armories pioneered the development of mass production, their many breakthroughs contributing to the industrial revolution as well as advancing ordnance production.

Historically, the Museum's collections were, and are, used to evaluate proposed ordnance products. An example is the Gattling Gun. In 1902 this weapon was coupled with an electric motor, achieving a prodigious rate of fire -- much higher than needed, so the project was scrapped. Years later information from the Museum contributed greatly to arming fighter jets with now necessary high speed guns.

The Ordnance Museum exhibits an enormous array of ordnance, representing weaponry from the Revolution to Viet Nam. Edged weapons, handguns, rifles, machine guns, grenades, mines, booby traps, and more are catalogued and displayed. The history of ordnance in America is well-presented. The Visitor Center features an auditorium where military documentaries can be seen on a continuous basis. Outside, a 25-acre field contains more than 200 armored vehicles of all types, from personnel carriers, to artillery, to tanks. A tour takes about 3 hours.

Note that visitors must obtain a Day Pass to enter Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the location of the Museum. Passes are only issued at the Maryland Avenue Gate -- see directions below.

Hours: Daily, 9am - 4:45pm. Closed national holidays except Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Admission: FREE. Donations appreciated.

Group Reservations: 2 weeks.

Lunch: Nearby restaurants.

Handicapped: Accessible.

Directions: I-95 South to Aberdeen Interchange 85. Turn left onto Rt. 22 towards Aberdeen. Exit to Rt. 40 West (right turn) and proceed through Aberdeen to the exit for the Proving Grounds (Route 715 South). Proceed to the security gate, park in the visitor parking area and take your license and registration to the Visitor Center for a pass.

Time: 60 - 90 minutes southwest of Philadelphia.

Nearby: Havre de Grace Decoy Museum , Susquehanna Museum , Steppingstone Museum .