The 6th Cavalry Museum

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The 6th Cavalry Museum

Before there was the city of Fort Oglethorpe (chartered in 1949) there was the Army Post at Fort Oglethorpe (1902 – 1947). The 815-acre post commissioned in 1905 was home to cavalry, infantry, artillery and the Third Women’s Army Corps, the nation’s largest WAC training center. The Post was notable for many military and medical accomplishments and housed the largest POW Camp in the U.S. for WWI and the largest POW Camp in the State of Georgia for WWII. The 6th Cavalry called Fort Oglethorpe home from 1919 – 1942 and in 1981 6th Cavalry veterans convinced the Army to turn over the contents of the regiment’s museum to be displayed in Fort Oglethorpe. Over the years, the veterans, their families and community leaders worked to build exhibits and displays that pay tribute and homage to the men and women who trained at Fort Oglethorpe and the continued legacy of the 6th Cavalry as their horses were replaced with tanks and currently has five air cavalry squadrons stationed across the country.

Exhibits display the rich history of the 6th U.S. Cavalry beginning in 1861, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII to current day. The museum has a 1944 Willys Jeep and M-47 Patton tank that is currently being restored. Visitors will see original uniforms, weapons, accoutrements, photos, documents and maps. Additional exhibits about the Army Post includes the POW Camps,

Women’s Army Corps and History Unearthed -The Six Battles of Kurland, known as the most essential part of the Second World War in Europe and where the war in Europe finally ended.

The museum’s mission is to “share history for all” and encourage the patriotic ideals that honor our service men and women, their families and our community. The museum sponsors School Days, Living History programs, military vehicle displays and has partnered with the Pines Library system that gets you free admission as a library card holder.

The museum is located on the Post’s parade field which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is surrounded by sixteen officer’s homes, band barrack and guardhouse, just one block north of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park.

The 6th Cavalry Museum is located at 6 Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe, GA (706) 861-2860. www.6thcavalrymuseum.org. Contact chris@6thcavalrymuseum.com for more information.