Every Soldier has a Story. We’re Preserving Them.
The Military Heritage Foundation doing business as the Army Heritage Center Foundation Mission – Support the development and expansion of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) and its programs and to sustain and enhance the Center’s and the Foundation’s ability to inform and educate the American public on contributions by Soldiers and the U.S. Army to our nation’s history.
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center Mission – The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center collects, preserves, and presents materials related to the evolution and application of landpower at echelon, as well as the experiences of American Soldiers, to build a foundation for adaptive leadership and to connect the United States Army to the public.
While many of our organizational goals involve fundraising for the needs of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC, whose separate mission is outlined below), supporting its facilities programs, and increasing its visitation, as a private organization with a separate mission, the foundation is also committed to expanding public outreach and community engagement as stewards of Army heritage and supporting building tourism in the county in a way that upholds and reinforces the mission of the Foundation.
We believe in:
- The value of community (locally and nationally) and our role as a participant in the community.
- Our commitments to our American soldiers as we partner to preserve that heritage.
- Connecting the lessons and experiences of American soldiers to the next generation.
- Stewardship of our members’ and donors’ financial commitments to us.
For more than the last quarter century, the primary beneficiary of our philanthropic contributions has been the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The current mission of USAHEC is to collect, preserve, and present materials related to the evolution and application of landpower at echelon, as well as the experiences of American Soldiers, to build a foundation for adaptive leadership and to connect the United States Army to the public. USAHEC’s current slogan is “Army history is American history.” For more information, visit their website.
The Military Heritage Foundation, doing business as The Army Heritage Center Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization separate from the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. The Foundation is registered in all states and locations that require charitable organization certification.
Through the years:
1999
Military Heritage Foundation incorporates and gains authority to build an Army museum in Carlisle, PA.
2001
Secretary of the Army Thomas White announces redevelopment of the U.S. Army Military History Institute into the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. The Foundation assumes the doing business as Army Heritage Center Foundation to align with the Center.
2003
The Foundation funds the master planning and for the utility infrastructure of the Center.
2004
Ridgway Hall, a federally funded construction project that houses the Army’s premier library, archive, and research facility, opens to the public.
2005
The Center hosts its first Army Heritage Day event on the new Army Heritage Trail. The Foundation works with congressional sponsors to promote construction of the Conservation facility.
2006
The Foundation begins fundraising and designing for the Visitors and Education Center. The Foundation sponsors construction of World War II Exhibit Barracks on the Army Heritage Trail.
2008
The Foundation’s Education Department begins sponsoring National History Day in Pennsylvania. The Foundation also holds its first Annual Membership Dinner.
2009
Construction of the Foundation-funded Visitor and Education Center and the federally funded Conservation facility begins.
2010
The Foundation completes construction of the Visitor and Education Center and donates the building to the U.S. Army. The Foundation’s Education Department launches the Veteran’s Oral History Program.
2011
The Museum Store, sponsored by the Foundation, opens. The Conservation facility is completed. The Foundation launches the Build on Success campaign to fund Phase Two of the Visitor and Education Center.
2012
The Foundation funds and manages infrastructure enhancements to support future construction on the Center’s campus.
2013
The Foundation hosts its first U.S. Army Birthday Dinner at the Center. The Foundation is accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign.
2014
The Foundation’s Education Department holds its first Soldier Experience Living History Adventure Camp on the Army Heritage Trail.
2015
The Foundation secures funding and hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for The Hall of the American Soldier (Visitor and Education Center Phase Two) construction.
2016
The Foundation establishes the Veterans’ Cafe and character development programs for regional schools. The Foundation completes the Ridgway Hall Lobby renovation to accommodate additional exhibits. The Foundation formally transfers the Hall of the American Soldier to the U.S. Army.
2017
The Foundation hosts the first Walk with a Veteran event on the Army Heritage Trail.
2019
The Foundation begins ROTC Staff rides to Gettysburg in coordination with orientations and tours of the Center. The Foundation funds and constructs the Event Pavilion on the Center grounds.