FORT RILEY (KSNT) – The Army’s Fort Riley Museum is on a list of over 20 museums to be shuttered; approval for the closing will come in the next few weeks.
27 News reached out to Army Strategic Communications Officer F. Lee Reynolds for more information about the potential closure. According to Reynolds, the Army’s decision to close some museums came after extensive review of operational constraints, including staffing limitations, visitor engagement, and facility maintenance costs.
“While some museums will close, their artifacts and historical materials will not be lost; neither will their stories,” Reynolds said. “They will be carefully preserved and integrated into remaining institutions or stored in Army Museum Support Centers for future use.”
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Reynolds told 27 News that the museums on the list are expected to be closed to the public by the end of September 2027.
“Additionally, efforts are underway to explore partnerships that may allow local communities to continue engaging with Army history in meaningful ways; we will stay engaged with our stakeholders as we develop these partnerships,” Reynolds said. “We recognize the concerns this decision has generated and remain committed to honoring the Army’s legacy.”
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In 2023, the U.S. Cavalry Museum and the 1st Infantry Division Museum reopened after making $17.5 million in renovations. The buildings started the renovations in 2018 with each building getting structural updates, new heating and cooling systems, new lighting and updated technology.
The U.S. Cavalry Museum was originally built in 1855 as a post hospital. The 1st Infantry Division Museum was built in 1905.
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