Museum Insights
National Museum of Military Vehicles Home to Musket That Fired First Shot at Bunker Hill 250 Years Ago
The musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill â a pivotal moment in American history â is on display at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, Wyoming, thanks to owner Dan Starks. The museum’s vast collection of military artifacts ultimately serves a deeper purpose: to honor the countless known and unknown soldiers who sacrificed to uphold and honor American freedom over the past 250 years.
The Quarterly Dispatch Spring 2025 edition from the National Museum of Military Vehicles
Click here to read the newsletter which highlights the museum’s mission of honoring veterans and educating the public about American military history through exhibits, events, and restoration efforts. Key features include a Veterans Fair scheduled for May, a tribute article on trailblazing female soldiers Captain Jennifer M. Moreno and Sergeant First Class Leigh Ann Hester, and a book review of The Dead and Those About to Die: D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach. Updates from various departments showcase new educational partnerships, artifact restorations, and exhibit installations, reinforcing the museumâs commitment to honoring American freedom.
US Light Tanks: From Obsolete to Best on the Battlefield
This video provides a detailed history of American light tanks used in World War II, starting with the M3 Stuart and culminating in the M24 Chaffee. It explains the development of these tanks in response to lessons learned from the Spanish Civil War, where early American tanks like the M2A2 were found to be under-armored. The M3 Stuart, introduced in 1941, addressed some of these deficiencies with improved armor and a more powerful engine. However, its flat armor and small 37mm gun limited its effectiveness, especially in the North African campaign. Despite its shortcomings, the Stuart performed better in the Pacific, where it was comparable to Japanese tanks but still struggled with bunker penetration and jungle maneuverability. The M3A1 introduced improvements like a welded hull, a turret basket, and power traverse, while the M5 Stuart replaced the aircraft radial engine with twin Cadillac engines and introduced sloped armor for better protection.
The video continues by highlighting the M24 Chaffee, the most advanced American light tank of WWII, which featured a 75mm gun adapted from aircraft and an innovative torsion bar suspension system for superior mobility. It also covers specialized variants, including the M3 Satan flamethrower tank, which was designed for close-quarters combat against fortified Japanese positions, and the M22 Locust airborne tank, intended for use by paratroopers but largely ineffective in combat. While the Stuart series played a significant role in WWII, particularly in reconnaissance and infantry support, the Chaffee marked the pinnacle of American light tank design during the war. The video concludes by noting that lessons from these tanks influenced post-war armored vehicle development, particularly in airborne operations.
NMMV and Wyoming Department of Education: Unveiling a New Educational Partnership
Announcement Made at Special Veterans Day Event
On Veterans Day, the National Museum of Military Vehicles and the Wyoming Department of Education announced a significant partnership aimed at bringing service, sacrifice and military history alive for Wyoming students. This special event honored veterans and showcased a collaboration with the University of Wyomingâs Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program to develop curricula focused on World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The museumâs founder, Dan Starks, joined Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder to unveil this educational initiative.
The day began at 10:00 AM with a hybrid media event, featuring a series of video tributes, including a moving dedication to Vietnam veterans. Dan introduced the video segment, setting the tone for a day of remembrance and reflection.
Students from Dubois K-12 School arrived at the museum for the Veterans Day program, where they performed patriotic songs, recited poems, and paid tribute to the Armed Forces. After the ceremony, elementary students shared lunch and stories with veterans, while secondary students conducted interviews, engaging in meaningful conversations to connect past experiences with their present-day learning.
This partnership marks a milestone in the museumâs mission to honor American freedom, providing resources for Wyoming schools that will be available in 2025. Dan Starks, the Founder and Chairman of the National Museum of Military Vehicles, has dedicated his efforts to preserving history and supporting the community, creating a legacy that goes beyond the museumâs walls.
National Museum of Military Vehicles Wins Third Consecutive Top Attraction Award
[July 8, 2024 – Dubois, Wyoming] The National Museum of Military Vehicles is honored to announce its receipt of the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the third consecutive year, maintaining its status as a top-tier global destination. This prestigious award places the museum within the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide, recognizing establishments that consistently receive outstanding traveler reviews on Tripadvisor.
Located near Dubois, Wyoming, the museum spans 160,000 square feet and features a comprehensive collection that includes the musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, a vast array of historic firearms, and the United States’ largest private collection of military vehicles, all set within engaging, immersive displays. The facility also houses a theater, several meeting rooms, a restaurant, and conference facilities enhancing the visitor experience.
Visitors frequently express awe and admiration for the museum’s world-class expansive exhibits and thoughtful presentation. One recent review highlighted the exceptional experience: “Fantastic museum. An unbelievable collection all artfully displayed. Even the cafe was fantastic.” Another visitor shared, “My wife and I stopped here on our way back from Yellowstone and were absolutely amazed at the number of vehicles, firearms, and related items in this huge museum.”
Museum founder Dan Starks commented on the museum’s educational mission, “No museum in the U.S. matches our scope of education about American military history. While other museums may focus on a single war or military branch, we honor American freedom by educating about all of our military branches across multiple conflicts.”
John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor, congratulated the museum, stating, “Travelers’ Choice honors businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. The National Museum of Military Vehicles has made a memorable impact on its visitors, compelling many to share positive reviews of their experiences. This recognition by Tripadvisor serves as a trusted marker for quality, helping travelers decide where to visit next. “We hope this accolade continues to attract visitors in 2024 and beyond.”
A Review of American Half-track Armored Fighting Vehicles in WWII and Korea
In this video, the National Museum of Military Vehicles showcases its collection of half-tracks, including eight fully restored models on display. The M2 and M3, developed during World War II by White Motor Company and Diamond T, were nearly identical except for the M3âs longer body and rear door, which allowed for greater troop capacity. Both models featured a vertical volute spring suspension system for improved mobility. International Harvester also produced half-tracks, designated M5 and M9, with rolled homogeneous steel armor instead of face-hardened steel.
The video highlights specialized variants, including the M4 and M4A1 mortar carriers and the rare M21 forward-firing mortar carrier. Anti-aircraft models like the M15 and M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriages were also covered, with the M16 earning the nickname “meat chopper” for its firepower in the Korean War. Other modifications included the T19, an early self-propelled howitzer, and the Australian M15 Special with a 40mm Bofors gun. As the war progressed, fully tracked armored personnel carriers replaced half-tracks, marking the end of their military role.
Starks presented with the WEDA 2022 Innovation Award at a ceremony at the museum in Dubois
Dan Starks, founder of the National Museum of Military Vehicles near Dubois, Wyoming, transformed his personal passion for military history into a world-class museum housing 488 military vehicles and rare artifacts, including the musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Originally a hobby, his collection grew after acquiring tanks and artifacts from the Normandy Tank Museum, eventually leading to the museumâs creationâa $100 million investment ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices of American service members. The museum has significantly impacted Dubois’ economy, drawing over 40,000 visitors annually and inspiring additional investments, including a vehicle restoration shop, new housing, and businesses like a bowling alley and bakery. Starks and his wife, Cynthia, continue to expand their contributions, addressing the townâs labor and housing shortages while envisioning future museum expansions covering World War I, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars.
IDEA Inc. Executive Director and Wyoming Economic Development Association board member Kevin Kershisnik, left, poses with National Museum of Military Vehicles founder Dan Starks, center, who was presented with the WEDA 2022 Innovation Award at a ceremony at the museum in Dubois. (Courtesy Photo, Christine Snow/Dubois Frontier)
Museum Featured on Fox Nation’s Hidden Gems hosted by Laura Ingraham
Dan Starks, CEO of the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, Wyoming, has invested over $100 million of his own money to create a museum honoring veterans and educating future generations about American military history. His passion began with restoring a single Sherman Tank for a Fourth of July parade, but his collection has since grown. Starks and his wife built the museum, close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, as a tribute to those who served, emphasizing the importance of preserving and teaching the history of American freedom. The museum was featured in the premiere episode of Fox Nationâs Hidden Gems, hosted by Laura Ingraham, which showcases lesser-known American treasures.
National Museum of Military Vehicles grand opening reminds us to honor veterans everyday
On May 28, 2022, the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, Wyoming, hosted a packed grand opening ceremony under its Veterans Pavilion, drawing a standing-room-only crowd despite the rain. The event featured a color guard by U.S. Army Recruiters from Casper, music by the Lander Volunteer Fire Department Pipe & Drum Band, and a recorded National Anthem by the Riverton High School Jazz Choir. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon opened with a prayer and a quote from General Patton, urging attendees to remember the sacrifices of service members like Chance Phelps. Distinguished speakers included LTG Roger Schultz (Ret) and former VFW Commander William âDocâ Schmitz, who both honored the museumâs founder Dan Starks for his dedication to veterans. Starks emphasized the museumâs mission to honor military service and American freedom, concluding the ceremony before attendees enjoyed post-event activities, including tank rides and a shooting range.