Curatorial Department

This past quarter has been a productive one for the NMMV Curatorial Department. Much of our focus has been on preparing for the upcoming exhibit changes in our galleries. This project includes identifying relevant artifacts, conducting research, taking measurements, and developing new displays organized around specific themes. The refresh will expand and enhance both our World War I and Vietnam War exhibits.

Fall also brings a steady schedule of school visits. At NMMV, we aim to make each field trip both enjoyable and educational. To support this, we collaborated with the Director of Education to implement a “Scavenger Hunt” to be used on field trips. This activity helps students stay engaged while also reinforcing key information from their tour.

Along with school groups, we were pleased to welcome several private tours this quarter. Organizations such as Hunting with Heroes, Veterans Talking to Veterans, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department visited the Museum for tailored experiences designed to meet their specific interests. These personalized tours allow groups to connect more deeply with the collection and its history.

Our curatorial team also remains active on the Museum’s YouTube channel. Each video requires significant preparation, including research, script writing, and filming. These videos are designed to offer viewers detailed insights into the vehicles and artifacts in our collection that they may not encounter elsewhere.

This quarter we said a bittersweet goodbye to a valued member of our team, Lucious Larsen. Lucious began working with us during his high school summers and grew into a full-time member of the curatorial staff. He contributed to tours, research projects, and YouTube production. Lucious has enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and we are extremely proud of his service and all he accomplished during his time at NMMV.

Looking ahead, our team will continue working on upcoming exhibit updates, educating visitors, and creating unique and informative content. We appreciate the continued support of our community and look forward to a productive and engaging season ahead. Happy holidays to everyone, and we will see you next year!

- Rae Whitley, Curator of National Museum of Military Vehicles