Museum History
In 1986, John H. Hill, president and CEO of Colonial Freight Systems of Knoxville, Tennessee, introduced the idea of building a Medal of Honor Museum to the Sergeant Alvin C. York Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. The Alvin C. York Chapter appointed a committee composed of Leo B. Smith, Bryant Cook and Winton Harris to study this recommendation. In early 1987 the committee recommended a Museum of Military History be planned for future construction in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The museum would feature a "Hall of Valor" highlighting the history of the Medal of Honor and all its recipients. Chattanooga, with one of the Nation's longest running Armed Forces Day celebrations, has long been considered an especially patriotic city. This, coupled with the country's first National Military Park (Chickamauga National Battlefield) located less than 10 miles from the city and four of the first Medal of Honor recipients buried at Chattanooga's National Cemetery, offered a most appropriate background to locate the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History.
Initial contact was made with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Veterans' Coordinating Committee to obtain support of Veterans organizations in the county. A board of directors was organized and appointed. By-laws were written, tax exempt status was requested and approved under Section 501(c)(3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code. The National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History Foundation was incorporated in the State of Tennessee and planning began on an initial design to include the type of displays desired and find a building to house the museum.
In April 1988, the Foundation moved to offices in the Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial Auditorium, where temporary displays were established in December 1988. In May 1990, the Foundation signed a 10-year lease with the City of Chattanooga for a two story, 10,000 square-feet building at 400 Georgia Avenue. Renovation began immediately and the temporary displays were moved from the auditorium to the first floor of the new building on July 2, 1990. The second floor was opened on February 8, 1991. When the Georgia Avenue lease expired, the Foundation, the museum artifacts were stored at a warehouse on Riverfront Parkway. The museum artifacts are currently stored at the Museum Archives on Chamberlin Ave., Chattanooga, TN where they are preserved and stored in a climate controlled environment and a 1000 square-foot Medal of Honor Museum of Military History exhibit is on display at Northgate Mall next to Piccadilly cafeteria.
Looking toward the future, the Foundation is actively increasing the Museum’s endowment, creating community outreach programs, and planning for a larger and more interactive museum.