USS KIDD Veterans Museum is ready to welcome UL-Monroe fans visiting Baton Rouge for this weekend’s football matchup.
Tour the authentically-restored National Historic Landmark USS KIDD, a World War II destroyer, and enjoy the intricate models and historic artifacts of the shoreside museum.
Also, experience the traveling exhibit, “Wheels of War.” Presented by Rhorer Mutual Industries, this exhibit provides a brief history of wartime railroads from the Civil War through World War II. The railroad and the military have been connected since the early days of railroading. “Wheels of War” highlights the military’s need for a consistently dependable and fast railroad, and the steps the railroad took to meet that demand.
As an addition to the traveling exhibit, USS KIDD Veterans Museum spotlights the history of the Camp Claiborne – Camp Polk military railroad in Central Louisiana. Construction of this railroad began in 1941, before the United States officially entered World War II, and was completed in July 1942. The railroad was used to train Army Railroad Operating Battalions, as well as Engineering Battalions. Also, it was used for experiments to determine the means necessary to derail enemy trains.
“Wheels of War” is organized and toured by the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Entrance to this special exhibit is included with admission to USS KIDD.
USS KIDD Veterans Museum is open daily, with a few holiday exceptions. Call 225-342-1942 or visit the website at www.usskidd.com for more information.