Renovation of the museum complex buildings at Fort Riley concluded in 2020. The Army said the buildings have updated lighting and technology along with redesigned display spaces.
Now work is proceeding on the interior design and exhibits, said said Dr. Robert Smith, Fort Riley Museums Director. "The next big step is fabrication of exhibits and that's painting the dioramas, building the displays, having them put in cases. Fabrication should begin very early summer here at Fort Riley. We're getting into the end run here. "
The project was funded by the U.S. Army Center of Military History and was done to preserve the historic and highlight the historic structure of the museum buildings. Exhibits will be installed later this year. Fort Riley plans to reopen the U.S. Cavalry and 1st Infantry Division Museums in early 2022.
Technology improvements are part of the project and must be installed, explained Smith. "All of the IT, the push button, TV screens, computerized issues that we're going to have. "Smith added there will be a bit more of a wait before the project is completed. "But we're getting to where we can really see the goalposts."
The U.S. Cavalry Museum was built in 1855 and was the post’s first permanent building. From 1855 to 1890 the building served as the post hospital. In the mid-1890s it was remodeled and additions were added that included a bell tower and new entrance. The building served as the garrison headquarters from the 1890s to 1947. In the 1970s the building became the U.S. Cavalry Museum. The Cavalry Museum recounts the history of the U.S. horse mounted cavalry from its beginnings during the American Revolution to the present day.
The 1st Infantry Division Museum building was constructed in the early 20th Century and served as office, barracks, and library before becoming the 1st Infantry Division Museum in 1996. The museum features exhibits and artifacts from the Division’s beginning in 1917 to the present.
