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. 
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 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.
Some of the cavalry supplies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
