I took some much needed vacation time over the Christmas holiday, a welcome break from my rather heavy business travel schedule. Among the many activities that I enjoyed, I spent some time at the U.S. Army Military History Institute near Carlisle. A short drive up Route 74 for me, the library (Army Heritage & Education Center or AHEC) has moved in the past couple of years from Carlisle Barracks to a stand-alone campus south of Carlisle not far from the new Target store. The complex is already interesting, and will be even more impressive if the funding comes through for the planned new army museum next door to the library.
AHEC's library, Ridgway Hall, contains the largest collection of military-related books in the country, and the staff maintains an extensive bibliography collection for nearly every topic or military unit you can think of. For the Civil War buff, it's easy to find resources on-line or in person at the library. I was able to print out an exhaustive list of resources on the Louisiana Tigers, take the list with me, and hand it to the friendly and courteous staff. They assembled the material I requested in just a few minutes, and an impressive stack of books and manuscript boxes was soon wheeled on a cart to my table. The lighting is good, the tables all have reading lamps and electrical outlets for laptops, and the setting comfortable and relaxing. The walls are lined with bookcases, miniature figurines of famous military units / uniforms, and busts of a few American generals, including Phil Sheridan.
Upstairs, there is a small grouping of museum cases with such artifacts as George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry guidon, cavalry related displays (Carlisle was home of the U.S. Army's cavalry school), items from the old Carlisle Indian School, and other relics. A lunchroom offers cold beverages and snack items; in the summer, it also offers a limited selection of lunch items.
Outside of the library is the new Army Heritage Trail, a nice paved walking trail lined with military displays such as a tank destroyer, a recreation of a Yorktown redoubt, Civil War encampment, section of World War I entrenchments, Omaha Beach, etc. This trail will be fun for my grandson and I to hike when the weather turns nicer.
Parking and admission are free. From York, take 74 north through Dover and Dillsburg, cross over U.S. 15, and drive 9 miles toward Carlisle. Make a right just before I-81 onto Fairview Street (by the Target) and follow the signs. At the stoplight, turn right onto Army Heritage Drive, cross over I-81, and AHEC will be on your left.
For more information, see AHEC's website.
Greetings,
I am looking for a photo I saw in "The Great Locomotive Chase". Mr. Angle listed it as from USAMHI, #47-2322. Can you help me locate this pic? It shows the covered bridge at Resaca, GA, just after the battle. I am building a model of the bridge for a model railroad.
Thanks.
Thom
Thom,
Non-copyrighted images from USAMHI can be obtained in person in Carlisle for the cost of photocopying. I believe they also will mail copies as well.
Feel free to share photographs of the finished model!