Where the
American
Thunder still
speaks.
The following are samples of the Museum's Broad Collection. A private collection preserving the life of the American soldier from the Civil War through the Spanish American War, with a rare assembly of firing antique artillery restored to original arsenal specification.
As a special addition in support of honoring our veterans, the Museum has added a collection of vehicles, which are fully restored to the specifications of the American manufacturers that produced them for WWII.
3.2″ Field Cannon
U.S. Model 1890
We believe the best way to preserve our heritage is not behind glass, but in working order —
Artillery restored to the specifications of the arsenals that made them, and fired on the grounds that remember them.
An 1883 Gatling Gun belonging to Fields of Thunder Museum was taken while on display in Huntington Beach, CA. If you have any information about its whereabouts, please contact the museum.
The Collection,
by era & service.
Cannons & Mortars
Field guns, mountain guns, Coehorn mortars
Gatling & Hotchkiss
Revolving cannon, multi-barrel ordnance
Vehicles and Trailers
Willys MB, Ford GPW, M29 Weasel
Limbers & Wagons
Ammunition chests, escort wagons
Uniforms & Arms
Accoutrements, sidearms, insignia
Returned to Ordnance or Arsenal
specification.
Where most museums display artifacts in the condition they arrive, Fields of Thunder works in the other direction. Each acquired piece is evaluated, researched against original Ordnance or Arsenal records, and, when appropriate, returned to the exact configuration it left the arsenal in, down to the shade of the paint and the stamp of the inspector.
The result is a living collection where a 3.2″ field gun does not merely represent the Indian War era, but could, if commanded, fire the same round it was built to fire at Santiago de Cuba.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers that have served and those that have paid the ultimate price.
William H. Newell
2nd Marines, 1941–1944 · 6th Marines, 1945.
Three battle stars, three presidential unit citations.
Col. Wallace R. Buelow
Career service 1941–1972.
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal.
EM2 Jacque W. Allen
Served aboard the USS Sausalito, recipient of six battle stars for Korean War service.
Help move this
collection into
public view.
The museum’s current goal is to transition from its private location into a public building where these artifacts can teach future generations. There are several ways to contribute to that work.
Every dollar of store proceeds goes directly to the building fund.