Oklahoma National Guard Museum opens new facility in Oklahoma City

A new chapter in Oklahoma's military history is now open to the public. 

The Oklahoma National Guard Museum celebrated its grand opening last week, unveiling a new facility designed to tell the story of Oklahoma's Army and Air National Guard from pre-statehood through the present day. 

The museum's opening follows action taken during the 2021 legislative session, when state lawmakers approved renaming the former 45th Infantry Division Museum as the Oklahoma National Guard Museum and authorized funding for a new facility. While the previous museum focused primarily on the 45th Infantry Division's service during World War II, the new museum expands its scope to highlight the full history of the Oklahoma National Guard. 

Visitors can explore exhibits covering more than a century of military service, including displays featuring equipment, uniforms, photographs, documents and personal stories from Guard members across generations. Many artifacts from the former 45th Infantry Division Museum remain on display alongside new exhibits and interactive experiences designed to provide a deeper look at the Guard's role in Oklahoma and around the world. 

The museum's collection includes more than 24,000 artifacts, making it one of the state's largest repositories of military history. 

Located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District, the museum serves as both an educational resource and a tribute to the generations of Oklahomans who have served their communities, state and nation through the Oklahoma National Guard. Admission is free, and the facility is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays.