Welcome to the American War Museum!

The American War Museum is a privately owned institution located in Chesapeake, Virginia. Our mission is to preserve, present, and promote the rich history of the United States military, spanning from the American Revolution to the present day. Through our dedicated efforts, we aim to honor the sacrifices and contributions of American service members across all eras, ensuring that their legacy is remembered and shared with future generations.

Exhibits

Below are a selection of photos and a brief overview of some of the displays featured in our collection. One notable exhibit is our World War II-era 40mm Quad Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun, which was originally mounted on the USS Missouri. This remarkable piece of military history is just one example of the many artifacts on display, showcasing the technology and equipment that played pivotal roles in significant conflicts.

A large, mounted military artillery gun with two long barrels, positioned outdoors under a roofed shelter.
Military truck painted in green with a white star on the side, parked on a paved area, with trees and power lines in the background.
A vintage artillery cannon painted with a camouflage pattern, placed on a brick-paved outdoor area near a modern building.
A vintage military motorcycle with a beige color, military markings, and accessories, displayed in a museum surrounded by WWII military uniforms, helmets, and equipment.

Exhibits

Display of vintage firearms, bullets, coins, and historical artifacts in a glass display case and shelves.
Display of traditional Native American clothing and accessories, including a red dress with white beads and two puppets, along with dark blue matching skirts or garments with red and white decoration, in a museum exhibit.
Collection of old military objects including shells, shrapnel, a miniature cannon, and ammunition on a black surface.
Display case with vintage rifles, pistols, knives, ammunition, military medals, and old books and manuals about firearms and the navy.
A vintage military display case with a leather jacket, military cap, patches, flags, medals, photographs, and documents.
A display of three military medals and a patriotic ribbon, arranged on a cloth within a box, with old documents and letters surrounding them on a table.
Historical collection of American Red Cross medical and rescue items including first aid kits, medals, miniature horse-drawn ambulance, vintage flashlights, and uniforms
Display of World War II memorabilia including vintage military uniforms, helmets, rifles, ammunition, boots, and flags in a museum exhibit.
A collection of military helmets, rifles, and vintage military gear displayed on a shelf and surrounding area, with old photographs and artifacts in the background.
A display room with WWII Japanese military artifacts, including uniforms, helmets, and weapons, with a large Japanese rising sun flag as a backdrop.
Display of Nazi memorabilia, including swastika flags, swastika badges, and firearms, on shelves in a museum-like setting.
A vintage military uniform jacket displayed on a mannequin. The jacket is gray with gold buttons, embroidered medals, and insignia, including a Nazi eagle and swastika emblem, and has red epaulets with embroidered leaf designs. There is a dark hat with a visor on top of the display behind the jacket.
Display case with historical military items including helmets, medals, pistols, rifles, and period photographs, alongside WWII-era artifacts like belts, a helmet, and documents.