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The Rock Island Arsenal Museum was established on July 4, 1905.  We are the second oldest US Army Museum in the United States.   Our primary mission is to preserve and display the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island.  Our secondary mission is to preserve and display the history of small arms development.

The Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society is the support organization for the Rock Island Arsenal Museum.  The Historical Society operates a gift shop that sells books, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and general souvenirs.  

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum provides historical tours of Arsenal Island to groups on their own bus with advanced reservations.  For information call 309) 782-2979. 

The Historical Society sponsors monthly dinner meetings on the first Thursday of the month, September through June.  Each meeting features a guest speaker, and the programs are free and open to the public.  For information on upcoming programs call (309) 782-3507.

Arsenal Island was home to a Confederate prison camp, the Rock Island Prison Barracks.  The camp was operational from December 1863 to July 1865.  Incomplete records exist concerning the 12,192 prisoners that were held here.  The records can be searched for Civil War ancestors held at the prison camp.  Please contact the museum staff for additional  information at (309) 782-5021.

Rock Island Arsenal was established by Act of Congress in 1862.  The arsenal has been an active manufacturer of military equipment and ordnance since the 1880s.  Our diverse products have included leather horse equipment, meat cans and canteens, paper targets, artillery recoil  mechanisms and carriages, and the Model 1903 rifle.