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Happy New year! We had a Great 2025, Help us in 2026!

Jimmy Kilbourne

2025 SUCCESSES

  • Largest Visitor Count since 2015. 1/3 of guests stop due to Virginia’s Integrated Directional Signing Program on Interstate 81
  • Increased Bus Tour Groups. International guests from as far away as Australia and United Kingdom, USA guests from all corners, Washington, Maine, Florida, etc.
  • Free Museum Admission for Youth and Students, Adults donate, but not required
  • Free evening history education programs and events for all and about all Citizen Soldiers and their contributions abroad and at home
  • Free Facility use for Community Civics Groups and Veteran Organizations
  • College Intern Credits for JMU History Major students. Have served Radford U. and others in the past
  • History Tours to American Battlefields, Monuments and Cemeteries in France
  • Host Veteran and Member Reunion for 116th Regiment and 116th Brigade Combat Team Members and Families
  • Completed “dry-in” Phase I of a WWI Log Cabin restoration that will house the new The Mid-Atlantic WWI Center

Help us keep the momentum going with a contribution to support our 2026 Program Year! Please Share this exciting news and photo below!

Why Study History?

Stefan Hartman

Spanish philosopher George Santayand said “those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”  In other words, we need to understand our history to avoid past mistakes.  What happened and why?  What worked?  What didn’t?

Can we learn from failures and triumphs?  Is there solace in knowing that others have been here too?  What can we learn about ourselves?  Where are we going?  Can we avoid some pot holes and ditches, or must we fall into them over and over?  What facts matter and which are “so what?”

In other words, how has our past shaped our future?  Only history can tell us.

WWI 29th Overcoat

New World War One Enlisted Overcoat

Jimmy Kilbourne

This World War One enlisted Man’s Overcoat was recently Donated to the 116th Foundation for use in our programs.

The Overcoat belonged to a member of the 29th Division who may have been from Roanoke, VA. He has sewn a hand made Division patch on the left shoulder made from French uniform material. The gold colored chevron on the lower left sleeve indicates 6 months of overseas service, a combat theater veteran.

The overcoat is in excellent condition with only a very few small moth holes and= very little wear to the wool and linen materials.

This item was donated by a retired Army service member who had trained with the 29th Division and felt our organization would be the best place to preserve it.