Freedom Museum USA

600 Hobart St. 

Pampa, TX 79066

visit the Freedom Museum USA website

I get to travel a great deal as a part of my business. I have been to about 45 of the continental United States and many times I have had the opportunity to get where I’m going by driving. I have gotten the opportunity to see a great many unique and awesome things while doing this. Once I was driving down the west side of Manhattan and happened upon an aircraft carrier docked there in the Hudson. To my surprise, hanging off the side of the carrier was the tail end of the great SR-71. My travels have also taken me to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC and to the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California. This past week I stumbled upon a gold mine of unique artifacts and information.

 

A few months ago I was traveling through Pampa, a small town about an hour north east of Amarillo. I was there to do business with a national client who had a location there. On my way out of town I passed a building with a M110 A2 Howitzer and a Huey Helicopter outside in the front. I said to myself, “I don’t have time now but when I come back here, I have to check this place out.” Fast forward to last week and I am headed to Pampa again. This time I planned to take a half hour to visit this “little” museum and take some photos. I figured they would have 6 or 8 vehicles, some guns and some other odds and ends. I would pay my 4, 5, or 6 bucks to get in, take a quick look and be on my way. That’s what I thought would happen…

 

 

When I arrived at the Freedom Museum USA a knowledgeable volunteer greeted me by the name of James Baird. Mr. Baird was a longtime resident of Pampa having been stationed here while in the Air force in the late 30’s. He told me that I could take as many photos as I wanted and that there was no charge for admittance though I could donate whatever I wanted. He then spent the better part of the next hour taking me around and showing me the collection, giving me the story on each individual whose artifacts they had. The collection here is a mixture of loans from the government and private donations from residents. The exhibits stretched from the early Plains Wars to the latest conflict in the Middle East. There were about 40 rifles and submachine guns, pistols, grenades, claymores, and more. World War 2 was very well represented from M1 Garand Rifles, Mosin Nagant Rifles, PPSh Submachine Guns, over 100 uniforms including Soviet and German WW2 blouses and coats.

 

Together with associate curator, Walter Miller, we looked at the entire collection in glass cases, on the walls, and parked outside. They even let me climb inside an American halftrack and took photos for me. They just wouldn’t let me try on the Soviet Uniform. Oh well.

 

I cannot recommend this museum enough, both for the diversity of the collection and the friendliness and knowledge of the staff. The museum 

is located at 600 Hobart Street, Pampa, TX 79066 in a water pumping station built in 1939. You can view their website at www.freedommuseumusa.org. I want to wish the veterans of Pampa a happy Memorial Day as well as a special thank you to the men and women who have served in the armed forces for the United States, our Allies, and our respected foes. The bravery, character, and ingenuity that they have shown is truly inspiring. It’s ironic that something as horrible as war can bring out the best traits in people. Cheers!