General George Patton Museum Of Leadership

4554 Fayette Ave, Fort Knox, KY 40121, USA

Address:	4554 Fayette Ave, Fort Knox, KY 40121, USA
Phone:	+1 502-624-3812
Site:	generalpatton.org
Rating:	3.9
Working:	Closed 10AM–4:30PM 10AM–4:30PM 10AM–4:30PM 10AM–4:30PM 10AM–5:30PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Dan Buck

This used to be an Excellent Military Armor Museum. I live in the Midwest, and This Was The Only Major U.S Military History Museum in my part of the Country. Apparently, sometime in the last five years or so (2016), they REMOVED All Of The Excellent Quality/Historical Tanks and Vehicles In the Museum !!!! There is still a "Museum" there, But It NO LONGER Contains The MAJORITY of BEST PIECES OF THE OLD MUSEUMS COLLECTION!!!! Originally, Outside the museum, along the walkway to the building entrance, were several restored American tanks. From the period roughly from WWII to Vietnam. However, inside the museum, there Was a small, but Significant, collection of Original Restored American and foreign Military Armor Vehicles. The museum was Excellent in that its collection included some of the most Interesting, Important, and Iconic Military Tanks/Armored vehicals throughout the history of such vehicals. With all being, authentic, original, and restored pieces. No replicas, models, etc. These included Tanks such as; one of the very first "Tanks" invented. An original, restored, British WWI "Tank". The WWII room, included Vehicles Such as the iconic American Sherman. A German Panzer IV, Panzer V "Panther" (Rare) , and most amazing of all, a German "King" Tiger Tank (Extremely Rare!!!) . The German "King"(or "Royal") Tiger Tank, was/is, incredably unique and rare. There are only a Very Few, intact and restored original "King" Tigers, left in the world !!! The museum also had an original, restored iconic Russian T-34 Tank. That vehicle was a Genuine WWII Era T-34 Tank. (the Russians built versions after the war up into the1960s, and some museums display those later models) . Finally, what I remember best about visiting The Patton Museum, was on every Fourth of July Holiday (at least for several years in the late 1990s and early 2000s when I visited), the Patton Museum held a "WWII American/German Tank Battle "Re-enactment". On the Fourth of July Holiday, WWII Era "Re-enactment" Groups, from all over the country, would get together (for a 3 day period). And on the grounds next to The Patton Museum, they would "Re-enact", a ficticious "Tank Battle". Most amazingly, Using original/restored WWII Vehicles [Tanks, Half-tracks, American Jeeps, German Trucks/Kubelwagons, even Anti-Tank Guns, etc !!!]. All of The Tanks, and some of the vehicles, were Actually TAKEN out of the Patton Museum, Restored/Repaired, Back to Working Order, and Used in the usually three hour long event !!!! To see Original Tanks Vehicles from WWII, Actually Running!!!, and "Firing"!!! (Blank Ammunitition); Was Truly a Sight to See !!!. I took, and still have, many Amazing Pictures from those events. As well as the Fantastic Memories of those days. ! Some of the Re-enactors and Attendees, were Actual WWII Veterans !!!. And I Was able to Sit and Talk with those (Then Elderly) WWII Veterans !!! I heard some great First Hand Stories, and Learned Things you would never find out by just reading a history book. But, those events (and the museums Excellent contents) are No Longer available/ held at The Patton Museum. They have since moved all of the Indoor (The Best) Tanks and Vehicles Collections, from the Patton Museum, Down to Fort Benning ,Georgia. Were, as I Understand that As Of Today, they are still Trying To Raise Enough Money; TO BUILD A MUSEUM BUILDING ( i.e. There Is NO MUSEUM QUALITY BUILDING YET EXISTING !!!!). WERE THEY CAN "DISPLAY" (TO THE PUBLIC), THE TANKS AND VEHICLES THEY MOVED FROM THE EXISTING FORT KNOX PATTON MUSEUM BUILDING !?!?

Tiffany Abriam

What a great military museum. Ive been in the military for 16 years now and this is one of the best ones that Ive seen. I went here for a "class trip" with 18 other senior Army leaders and it spoke to us. Concrete learning at its best! I got a feel for who Patton was and not just his accomplishments. There are other exhibits tied in such as Desert Storm war era and Civil War time frame. They have a new museum director that sat us down to get our views of the museum. You can tell she is passionate about her job and has a lot of great ideas for it. They even have an app to download that plays video or audio at some of the exhibits to make the experience even more concrete. Museum definitely invoked an emotional experience for me and my counterparts. You dont have to be affiliated with the military to understand the value of its exhibits. AND ITS FREE! Well worth the hour we spent here. **NOTE: this museum is on a military installation. If you do not have a military ID, go to the Main Gate to Fort Knox and get a pass at the visitors center located there. It will only take you the matter of 5-10 extra minutes to obtain.**

Jennifer Midkiff

I was excited to be able to visit the museum, I checked out the reviews and was unsure if it would be worth the time to visit the museum however, I threw caution to the wind and went. I didnt realize that we would face closed off street after closed off street to make the entrance to the museum, which is on base. At this point, I was very ill about not being able to locate the entrance, maybe it was my fault. However, when we found the entrance gate, we were told that we had to go to the Vistors Center, obtain a ticket and wait to speak to someone to gain entrance to the base. I know its a military base but, as a private citizen, the experience should have been easier for us to attend the museum. I would not recommend this as a destination for someone in the private sector to attend.

Hal Porter

Worth seeing, especially if youre interested in WWII. Museum brings Patton the legend alive. Many of his quotes are, well, quotable and memorable. Get ready for a potentially long wait at the base entry station; take a number (literally) and have a seat. By the way, you must use the Chaffee Gate on East Bullion Blvd off of US-31W, NOT the base main gate. Lots of memorabilia, including the staff car in which he was injured. Wed visit again.

A Private User

I remember going there on field trips when I was in school and thought I would check it out today seeing its been sometime since my last visit. What a BIG let down, there is next to nothing inside. We asked the guard at the front desk where everything was and he said it was moved to Georgia. How can you move almost everything in a museum that has been there forever and not replace it with anything.

Troy Layne

Have to agree with other reviewers, the Patton Museum, like Ft Knox itself, is a shell of what it used to be. They chopped up the museums collection and sent most everything non-Patton related away. Whats left is a nice tribute to "Old Blood & Guts" but its not the must-see that we remember it once was. :(

David Calhoun

There used to be so much more here, now there is next to nothing. There is one room with Patrons stuff and that is it. There used to be a lot of stuff and different displays now they are all gone. Dont waste your time here until it is re-modelled in 2012 or 2013 when they has something worth seeing.