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

This Museum is moving to Ft. Lee, Virginia, which is beyond the coverage range of this online guide -- for now. HOWEVER, some exhibits may still available for viewing. Call the Museum or visit their official website, linked above, for current details.

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.