Mahaffey Museum Complex

Three U.S. Army Museums in One Location

Named after Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army John Barton Mahaffey, the Mahaffey Museum Complex houses the rich history and contributions of the Military Police, Army Engineers, and Chemical Warfare Units during conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. The museum complex is also adjacent to the WWII Army Complex Museum which replicates Fort Leonard Wood as it was during the 1940s. The Mahaffey Museum began as the U.S. Army Engineer Museum when it moved from Fort Belvoir, VA, in 1989. The Military Police and Chemical Warfare schools moved to Fort Leonard Wood in 1999 and brought their respective museums to the complex.

All museums are open to the public.

HOURS:
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Museums are closed on Sundays and federal holidays.

U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regimental Museum

The U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regimental Museum chronicles the evolution of military police functions in the U.S. Army from the American Revolution through the birthday of the branch in 1941 up to the present. The museum employs historic artifact exhibits, artwork, and dioramas to functions of Internment and Resettlement, Area Security, Maneuver and Mobility Support, Law and Order, and Police Intelligence operations. The museum's Hall of Fame room inspiringly honors Soldiers.

14296 S. Dakota Ave., Building 1607
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
573-596-0604

Memorial Grove

The Military Police Regimental Walkway and Memorial Grove offers a peaceful environment for Soldiers — both active and inactive — to honor their fallen comrades. Between dedicated granite benches and trees bearing the names of Soldiers and MPs who made the ultimate sacrifice, brick-lined walkway bears the names of individual Soldiers and units. Visitors will also marvel at the bronze sculptures onsite, such as the crossed pistol archway — dubbed the “Gateway to the Regiment” — the Marechaussee on Horseback, and the Military Working Dog statue.

495 S. Dakota Ave.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473

Contact the Military Police Regimental Association to purchase a brick and commemorate your service, remember your friends or units, or honor a fallen comrade.

U.S. Army Engineer Museum

The U.S. Army Engineer Museum represents the different roles engineers play in the U.S. Army. The encyclopedia gallery includes artifacts and replicas dating back to the days of paddlewheels and pontoons. The topographic area features tools and projects of surveyors and mapmakers from colonial times through the present. The land mine display features mines, detectors, and foreign armament used to develop land mine warfare technology. Visitors can also explore models of the many bridges engineers build — such as floating, fixed, and mobile — and the explosives the engineers use to demolish the same types of bridges.

14296 S. Dakota Ave., Building 1607
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
573-596-0780

U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL CORPS MUSEUM

Since its inception in 1918, the U.S. Army Chemical Corps has been the nation’s protective force against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. Enjoy a self-guided tour of more than 9,000 dioramas, audio, and video programs. Explore exhibit cases housing some of the 6,500 artifacts in the collection. Visitors can see protective equipment for soldiers, civilians, and animals, as well as examples of chemical weapons and munitions dating from World War I to the present.

14296 S. Dakota Ave., Building 1607
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
573-596-0240

WWII COMPANY AREA

This collection of restored, temporary mobilization buildings is representative of the hundreds of thousands of buildings built throughout the United States from 1939-1945. During the peak of construction at Fort Leonard Wood in 1941, the rate of completion was one building every 45 minutes. During WWII, Fort Leonard Wood housed five infantry divisions, one artillery brigade, and an Engineer Replacement Training Center training more than 250,000 soldiers.

THE HISTORIC VEHICLE PARK

Across the street from the museum complex are impressive, historic Engineer, Chemical, and Military Police vehicles dating from World War II to the Global War on Terror. This park is open seven days a week including holidays during daylight hours. Another historic vehicle park is located near the front gate on the outbound lanes; this park features one important vehicle representing each of the three branches.

To book your group tour or for additional assistance with reunion planning, lodging, transportation, or meals, contact the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau at 573-336-6355 or email@PulaskiCountyUSA.com.