Fort Douglas Military Museum
Fort Douglas Military Museum
32 Potter St
Fort Douglas
801-581-1251
Experience Historic Fort Douglas. Get a feel for the events that influenced the development of Utah territory and later statehood. Follow Utahn’s as they served our country from 1862 to the present. See artillery, helicopters and military vehicles before stepping inside to see the uniforms and equipment used by the soldiers themselves.
The Fort Douglas Military Museum, formerly a 19th century barracks built of Red Butte sandstone, was established in the Utah Territory to guard the Overland Mail route and telegraph lines. The Museum campus is a verdant expanse fronted by the original parade grounds and bandstand, historical officers’ housing, a chapel and a base theater.
The outdoor Cannon and Tank Park, marking the Museum’s entrance, gives visitors a glimpse at the awesomeness of military fire power, with displays of cannons, helicopters and armored vehicles. Indoor exhibits offer an up-close look at authentic military uniforms, weapons, and equipment from early Utah military exploration to the present. Panels also show the evolution of military architecture at the historic Fort.
Never before seen, Saddam Hussein’s combat boots – “liberated” by two Utah National Guardsmen — are displayed in a glass case along with notable copies of newspaper headlines heralding his capture.
Housed within the Museum are a military library and archives available to researchers and scholars.
The Fort Douglas Museum Gift Shop (“The Post Sutler”) features a wide variety of military memorabilia, including history and photo books, replicas of medals and other items designed to engage and inform children and adults alike.
The gift shop is open from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Orders may be placed online by going to the Fort Douglas Museum website.
The Fort Douglas Museum is free and open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Docent-led group tours are available by appointment.
New to Fort Douglas Military Museum is the Utah Fallen Warrior Memorial, a 4.5 ton curved concrete aggregate slurry wall from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. The dramatic rock artifact currently is the centerpiece of the new Fort Douglas Memorial Park, where it will share space with the Women’s Military Memorial scheduled to open Spring, 2014.
- Address
- 32 Potter St
Fort Douglas, UT 84113
- Main
- 801-581-1251
- Website
- Official Website
- Season
- Year-Round
- Price/Fee
- Free Admission