How about stepping back in time? Right here at the Fort Sam Houston Museum, we unravel the captivating story of this vital military post.
The Fort Sam Houston Museum is located in the historic Quadrangle. The Quadrangle is the oldest structure at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. It was once a quartermaster depot constructed in 1876. Since 2015, the museum has been located here. Before that, it was housed at four other locations.
Inside the Fort Sam Houston Museum, six rooms of exhibits and displays await. These exhibits begin with the establishment of a U.S. Army post in San Antonio in 1845. They continue to the fort’s construction. See how the post evolved to support soldiers in conflicts home and abroad.
Jacqueline Davis is the Fort Sam Houston Museum director. She notes the Quadrangle has been a tourist destination since its walls went up.
The Fort Sam Houston Museum gallery showcases artifacts, images and texts. These cover the Army’s establishment in San Antonio and the development of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. Look for uniforms, insignia, equipment, firearms, and an 1880s supply wagon. Don’t miss the 20-minute film.
Exhibits start with the early Spanish and Mexican presence in Texas. They explore the Republic of Texas from 1836-45. Learn the reasons the U.S. Army established a post in San Antonio after Texas joined the U.S.
Discover the fort’s role as headquarters for soldiers fighting Indians and bandits on the frontier from the 1870s to 1880s. See its establishment as a permanent installation in 1876. Learn about its evolution into an artillery, infantry, and staff post in the early 1900s.
The Fort Sam Houston Museum highlights the beginning of military aviation. It shows support for soldiers on the Texas-Mexico border during the Mexican Revolution from 1910-19. It covers support for military personnel in World War I. The museum details being home to two and the birthplace of four field armies during World War II. Also, it shows the addition of medical units and schools during and after WWII to the present.
The Fort Sam Houston Museum has over 8,200 artifacts. These are either on display or stored in storage rooms. The reference library contains books and publications. These relate to the history of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and other JBSA installations.
Established in 1967, the Fort Sam Houston Museum offers orientations and guided tours. The reference library and archives can be used for research by appointment. The museum conducts outreach programs for schools and supports professional development training for military organizations.
Davis hopes visitors will gain a greater appreciation of the fort’s history. Many visitors comment that they did not know Fort Sam Houston had so much history.
Lauren Hannemann said she learns something new every time she visits with her children. Her son enjoys seeing the trucks and weapons.
As you leave the Fort Sam Houston Museum, consider the layers of history. Think about the countless stories held within these walls. The Fort Sam Houston Museum is more than a collection of artifacts. It is a living testament to the dedication and sacrifice of generations.