Camp Van Dorn was a Theater of Operations camp established after the bombing of Pearl Harbor to train men for the war in Europe. The museum is dedicated to honoring and preserving the memory the camp and the men and women who trained there. Veterans have been incredibly generous in donating artifacts to this museum. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History works closely with us to aid in preserving the integrity of our collections. We are participating in a pilot program of the American Association for State and Local History. We have a traveling exhibit and frequently visit school, club, and church groups. We are planning a celebration in November honoring all veterans that will include, among other things, a National Guard weapons demonstration.
The museum opening and dedication was held on March 19, 2005. The museum is housed in a beautifully restored building that was originally the first bank in the town of Centreville. A matching grant assisted in the building restoration.
Military objects, such as guns, shells, uniforms, flags, German artifacts, artifacts from Camp Van Dorn, the Siegfried Line, and the Battle of the Bulge. Camp souvenirs (pillow covers, postcards, matchbooks, etc.), WAC artifacts, dioramas.
Vintage newspapers, including camp newspapers, 63rd and 99th Division newspapers, YANK, and Stars and Stripes. Many veterans' memoirs and mini-biographies of many Camp Van Dorn veterans. Photographs from the Camp, veterans, and the war. Rare Regiment and Division books. General World War II Books. Military documents and records. Period registration books from a local hotel. Video-taped interviews with Camp Van Dorn veterans. Vintage letters and cards. We have a computer kiosk for the general public to do research in our collections.
Traveling exhibits, gallery tours, lectures, docent programs, on-hands/interactive exhibits for children. No fees charged for any of these services.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: False