1st Infantry Division Museum
The United States Army’s 1st Infantry Division, popularly known as the Big Red One because of the prominent shoulder patch proudly worn on the uniform of every division soldier, is the oldest continuously serving division in the Regular Army. The division, whose motto is DUTY FIRST, was constituted on 24 May 1917 with the mission of fighting on the Western Front during World War I. Assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces commanded by General John J. Pershing, lead elements of the division were the first American troops to arrive in France and on 25 October 1917 the division suffered the first American casualties of the war. 1st Infantry Division soldiers fought in the European Theater throughout World War II, first participating in the invasion of North Africa and then the invasion of Sicily followed by the invasion of Normandy before advancing into Germany to help end the war. The division was based at Fort Riley in 1955 and in 1965 deployed to South Vietnam and conducted a series of operations over a period of five years. In 1990 the 1st Infantry Division participated in the First Gulf War and the liberation of Kuwait and from 2003 until 2017 division soldiers saw action in Iraq. In 2008 an infantry brigade deployed to Afghanistan and Big Red One soldiers accomplished their various missions until their withdrawal in 2021. More recently division soldiers deployed to Eastern Europe and the Russian invasion of Ukraine extended their commitment. For over a hundred years the 1st Infantry Division has accomplished its various combat missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and the soldiers who proudly wear the Big Red One shoulder patch continue to live their motto – DUTY FIRST.
The United States Army’s 1st Infantry Division Museum is located in a beautiful limestone building in Fort Riley’s historic main post area, not far from the Kansas River which provided an early communications link to Westport and Kansas City on the Missouri River, and then on east to Saint Louis on the Mississippi River. Built in 1905 as a barracks and recently benefiting from a comprehensive renovation, the museum highlights the history of the Big Red One using a variety of presentations that feature the uniforms, weapons, and other relevant equipment division soldiers have used over the years. Larger items of military equipment are available for inspection outside to include tanks, halftracks, personnel carriers, and artillery pieces. The museum gift shop is located next door in the United States Army’s Cavalry Museum where a wide range of items ensure that visitors will enjoy the time they spent visiting Fort Riley, the two military museums, and the Custer House.
Hours of operation
The museums share a large parking lot and are located in buildings 205 and 207 on Henry Avenue. Once renovations are complete and the museums are open hours of operation will be:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday Noon – 4:00 pm
There is no entry fee for the museum.
Exterior Photos
Interior Photos
Interior photos coming soon