Our Story
The PA Veterans Museum is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve the legacy and dignity of all U.S. military veterans of Pennsylvania by presenting a living history of their service experiences. We want to ensure that current and future generations will understand the true nature of war, and recognize the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and security.
Education is our primary focus. We will further the education of our school students with an up-close and personal experience of the pivotal battles of U.S. history. We will preserve the living history of our veterans in a database accessible on the web and at the Museum. And we will offer a rich selection of lesson plans for the classroom or in preparation for a Museum visit.
History
The idea for the Museum can be traced to a small but dogged group of veterans who sought to preserve the concept of honor and duty to country, as well as to acknowledge the contributions of the men and women of Pennsylvania who served.
Timeline
May 30, 1999 Media Mayor Bob McMahon and PA Governor Tom Ridge discuss the idea of involving students in Media's next Veterans Day remembrance.
June 1999 The U.S. Veterans Legacy Project, a non-profit organization, is formed to pass the legacy
of veterans and to share that legacy with the younger generations.
Programs include the Delaware County Veterans Day Parade, Speakers Bureau, Mary Ryan Memorial Poster and Essay Contests and the Oral History Project where veterans stories are posted on their website www.veteranslegacy.com providing easy access for students and educators.
November 11, 1999 More than 3000 students participate in Media's Veterans Day events. Governor Ridge presents Senator Bob Dole with Pennsylvania's $2 million contribution to the WWII Memorial the largest gift from any state. Key participants include Brig. Gen. John Patten, Sen. Dick Tilghman, Sen. Jack Wagner, Rep. Paul Semmel and members of the U.S. Veterans Legacy Project.
February 23, 2000 Speaker Matt Ryan and requests funding to purchase the Armory and turn it into a Veterans Museum.
2001 Speaker Matt Ryan enters $800,000 into the PA capital budget to move the National Guard from the Media Armory.
2002 WWII veterans Bud Hendrick and Ed Buffman gather 500 signatures from local vets and the Media community in support of a veterans museum in the Armory. Senator Clarence Bell approves moving the local Guard to other quarters. Speaker Matt Ryan places $1.3 million into the state capital budget to make repairs to the Armory and purchase parking areas adjacent to it. In December, Governor Mark Schweiker releases grant.
December 7, 2002 The Museum board is organized.
April 11, 2003 PA Department of General Services and the Borough of Media agree on the sale and transfer of the Armory, including a condition that a non-profit organization will organize and operate a Veterans Museum on the premises.
May 2003 Governor Ed Rendell presents $1.3 million check for refurbishing the Armory.
November 11, 2003 Delaware County Councilman Andy Reilly presents $200,000 check from County Council to Ed Buffman, the museum chair, at the Veterans Day Parade. Student participation reaches 6000.
January 15, 2004 The name "Pennsylvania Veterans Museum" has been adopted, and the operation is underway with reconstruction of the Armory and exhibit design to preserve the legacy or our verterans.
