Powder Magazine Museum

345 North Road W.

Jefferson Barracks Park

St. Louis 63125

314-615-8800

Admission is free.  Lot with free parking.

https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/parks/places/jefferson-barracks-park/  

Opened in the 1950's

The building that houses the museum was built in 1857 to be used to store rifles, cannons, gun powder and prepared ammunition for those soldiers stationed at Jefferson Barracks. The Barracks were established in 1826 near St. Louis city and on the Mississippi River making it a very important military post in America's history as the nation's territory expanded west. The base is the oldest operating U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi River. 

This building is made of limestone with 4-ft. thick walls and wooden floors.  The arched ceiling and floors were designed so that if the gunpowder exploded, the path of least resistance would be taken and the explosion would go through the floors. The arches above would fall along with sand, etc. and the fire would be smothered. The roof and and walls would remain intact and the building would be still useable.  

Today when you enter you see these same original wooden floors and ceiling arches. There are also many beautiful wooden cases housing an exhibit on the history of the  military post.  Unfortunately the glass in the cases makes it very difficult to take decent photographs of the items on display because of the extensive glare.

Before walking through the museum, one can view a 4-minute film to get a synopsis of the history of Jefferson Barracks. 

The first item on display is from the time of the establishment of the fort. 

This early sign starts you on the story of Jefferson Barracks.

The first war highlighted is the Blackhawk War which took place in 1832 in Illinois. 

These items below are from the Seminole War that took place in Florida in 1837. Future President Colonel Zachary Taylor led the Jefferson Barracks troops 1200 miles to this bloodiest of Indian wars. The coat is a reproduction of a Missouri volunteer frock coat and the hat was actually worn by a Missouri soldier who died in this war. 

Exhibited below from that war are: a M1816 North Pistol, a musket (1784), a powder flask (1830) and an Infantry Tactics Manual (ca 1837). 

The Mexican-American War took place from 1846-1848. The uniform on display was worn by a Mexican soldier. 

The American Calvary was first organized at Jefferson Barracks and included Jefferson Davis and Nathan Boone.  They were called the Dragoons and this is a reproduction of their undress uniform, ca 1840. The sabers are also from 1840. 

When Jefferson Barracks went from being merely a training station to one that supplied everything that went west during our time of westward expansion, the ordnance workers became very important. Below is a uniform of an Ordnance Corps officer in the late 1840's.  There were also civilians workers on base with as many as 500 during the Mexican-American War. 

Some of the medical items from the Civil War on display including a bone saw and an amputation saw. Also the U.S. Surgeon's army sword. 

The Buffalo soldiers were organized in 1866 in six units, one of which was at Jefferson Barracks. The greatcoat is from 1880 and the cap from ca. 1895. 

The cavalry played an important role in the Mexican-American War, the Indian wars, and the Civil War. This saddle is from 1859, while the halter, strap, cinch and blanket are all from 1900.

Some of the cavalry supplies. 

More cavalry displays. 

The uniform of an Infantry Commissary Sergeant: the uniform, dress helmet and saber belt are from 1883-1884 and the saber is from 1840. 

This 1880 hat belonged to Colonel John A. Kress who was the second longest serving commandant at Jefferson Barracks. 

Gauntlets, Epaulets, pistols, and ribbons from near turn-of-the century. 

This display includes U.S. military headgear during a 100-year span. Below are 4 of the 13 hats displayed. 

Items from the Spanish American War (1898) include the Memorial Plaque, canteens, Army Hospital Corps uniform, drill regulations manual, and gauntlet. 

From the Spanish American War and the Philippines Insurrection (1899) there is a pocket Bible, handbook, ribbon, medals, and a bag.

More late-1800 artifacts from the Spanish American War and the war in the Philippines.

From the Mexican Border and the First World War we have a Campaign hat and shirt, a Colt Browning machine gun and the ammunition box as well as patriotic posters designed to create support for the war effort. 

On display is a khaki canvas first aid pouch, 1904, and a khaki canvas Webb belt, 1903 

A World War I German machine gun. 

A World War I gas mask and a medics bag made out of two ration bags. 

An ammunition limber from 1917

Belongings of a World War I soldier

A memorial for fallen World War I soldiers.  This one of sheet metal was created in St. Louis in the early 1920's and called "Our Brave Boys."

This is a bathing suit, ca. 1930, from after World War I from a Civilian Military Training Camp.

The uniform of an army air force recruit during World War II.

Medical supplies from World War II including first aid dressing and case, urinal, field medical kit, blanket, and cup and saucer set. 

An anesthesia machine from World War II. 

Also a dental drill and tools and a foot-powered dental drill. 

World War II weapons.

Remnants of civilian lives during World War II: gas mask!

Beginning in 1944, Jefferson Barracks began housing German and Italian POWS. These two items are part of that display: 1944 handcuff and key and 1944 peach stone carvings done by POW. 

Belongings of a female soldier during World War II: uniform jacket, haversack, and olive drab utility bag. 

Examples of recreation during World War II: softball, baseball, and football. 

The museum has this display on "A Look across Time: Music in the Army." The bugles are from World War I and World War II.  The drum is from the Civil War. 

Under all of the arches there are drawings or informational posters.  These are just two examples. 

Before visiting the museum we ate lunch on the grass outside the museum.

Our view included the Mississippi River and the memorial to the World War II Battle of the Bulge. 

Our lunch came from The Art of Entertaining  which offers gourmet carryout and catering. It is located in Webster Groves.

Picking up all six lunches! 

There is a reason that they have been awarded Best Carry-Out Lunch! We enjoyed our Gourmet Sak Sandwich...

and Gourmet Salad Box Lunch. 

Comments:  This museum is a hidden gem when it comes to military history.  It only covers the history of Jefferson Barracks but JB has been around since 1826 so the museum really covers a vast majority of American military history. My guess is that most people today have little idea how important this military post has been in its role in the military. 

The museum was well-organized and there were posters explaining everything.  I found the displays sometimes confusing because nothing was marked within the cases. One has to figure out what-is-what from the list posted to the side.

The museum is only open W-Sat. and is monitored by a volunteer. When we went on a Wednesday afternoon we were the only ones there. 

As always with Art of Enteretaining, the food was excellent and reasonable.