Mid-Century Military Museum

Mid-Century Military Museum A mobile museum showcasing military artifacts and equipment from the end of WWII into the 1970s. Mid-Century Military Museum Inc.

is a registered 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization

04/19/2026

Using the M818 to move our ENG-25 project. Gotta love that Cummins sound!

Members of the Mid-Century Military Museum hit the road for a long but rewarding trip from Connecticut to northwest of P...
04/15/2026

Members of the Mid-Century Military Museum hit the road for a long but rewarding trip from Connecticut to northwest of Plattsburgh, New York, to pick up a much-needed set of low boy tires for our Dorsey ENG-25 trailer. These hard-to-find wheels are an important step forward in bringing this historic piece of equipment back into over the road service and display.

Along the way, the team made the most of the journey with a stop for dinner that just had to include a regional favorite—poutine!

We also took a moment to explore the historic Mooers Forks railroad depot and an old iron bridge from the 1800s, a fascinating reminder of the transportation networks that once connected communities across the North Country. It’s always a pleasure to encounter pieces of history like this while working to preserve our own.

Trips like these are a great example of the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into keeping mid-century military vehicles and equipment operational and accessible to the public. Stay tuned as work continues on the Dorsey ENG-25 trailer!

04/01/2026

Recent progress at the Mid-Century Military Museum! Work begins on two newly acquired support trailers: an # M750 Parts Van and an M146 Dry Van. Both trailers are currently being evaluated and prepared for restoration so they can serve future roles supporting the museum’s preservation and operations.

The M750 Parts Van will provide much-needed organized storage space for components and equipment essential to maintaining the collection, while the M146 Dry Van is planned for conversion into a mobile workshop to support field maintenance and event activities. Also featured in the video is the museum’s M52 tractor truck, which will ultimately serve as the prime mover for these trailers once restoration work progresses.

Projects like these help expand the museum’s ability to preserve and operate historic military vehicles while demonstrating how logistical support equipment played a vital role behind the scenes. Stay tuned as restoration continues and these trailers move closer to active service with the collection.










Our new semi trailers are back at the museum motorpool thanks to truck 128! Two of our voulnteers started cleaning up th...
03/31/2026

Our new semi trailers are back at the museum motorpool thanks to truck 128! Two of our voulnteers started cleaning up the interiors of both and making notes as to what all was left from the previous owners. We were able to deploy the side and roof panels of the m750 which was pretty neat in itself. We can't wait to start the restoration on these two pieces of military logistics history.

03/31/2026

Truck 128 putting in work retrieving our new m750 and m146 trailers. The pickup and ride back to the museum motorpool went smooth with no issue. Stay tuned as we work to get these guys restored!

The Mid-Century Military Museum is excited to announce the recent acquisition of two historic military semi-trailers: th...
03/20/2026

The Mid-Century Military Museum is excited to announce the recent acquisition of two historic military semi-trailers: the M750 Parts Van and the M146 Dry Van Trailer.

While a bit rough around the edges, these additions are an important step forward in expanding both our preservation capabilities and operational functionality.

The M750 Parts Van, originally designed as a mobile supply and storage unit for U.S. Army logistics, played a crucial role in keeping vehicles and equipment operational in the field. Built for durability and organization, these trailers were commonly used from the mid-20th century through the Cold War era to transport and store essential spare parts. At the museum, the M750 will provide ample, secure storage for parts and components, helping us better maintain and preserve our growing collection of historic vehicles and equipment.

The M146 Dry Van Trailer has an equally important legacy. Developed as a general-purpose enclosed cargo trailer, the M146 was widely used to transport sensitive equipment and supplies that required protection from the elements. Its robust construction and adaptable interior made it ideal for a variety of roles in military service. Here at the museum, the M146 will be repurposed as a mobile shop, allowing us to perform maintenance, restoration, and educational demonstrations in a flexible, on-site environment.

Both trailers reflect the ingenuity and logistical strength of mid-century U.S. military operations, where mobility, reliability, and efficiency were essential. We are proud to preserve and put these historic assets back into service in a way that supports our mission.

Stay tuned as we begin restoring and outfitting these trailers, integrating them into our museum operations!

Voulnteers are preping the diesel tractor for a highway tow over to the restoration yard. This will be the first over-th...
03/14/2026

Voulnteers are preping the diesel tractor for a highway tow over to the restoration yard. This will be the first over-the-road move with the diesel wrecker aswell!

Happy 308 Day! Let's take a brief look at the .308 round and the M14 rifle:The M14 rifle and the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Wi...
03/08/2026

Happy 308 Day! Let's take a brief look at the .308 round and the M14 rifle:

The M14 rifle and the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Wi******er) cartridge represent an important chapter in modern military fi****ms development and Cold War history.

Adopted by the U.S. military in 1957, the M14 was designed to replace several World War II–era weapons, including the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, and the Browning Automatic Rifle. Developed from the proven Garand platform, the M14 introduced a detachable 20-round magazine and selective-fire capability, allowing it to operate in both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes. Chambered for the powerful 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, the rifle provided excellent range, accuracy, and stopping power.

The 7.62×51mm NATO round—commercially known as the .308 Wi******er—was standardized in the 1950s as part of NATO’s effort to unify ammunition among allied forces. The cartridge offers a balance of power, accuracy, and reliability, making it effective for engagements at extended distances. Its performance helped ensure the M14 was capable of accurate fire well beyond the ranges typical of earlier intermediate-caliber service rifles.

While the M14 had a relatively short tenure as the U.S. military’s standard infantry rifle—being replaced by the lighter, smaller-caliber M16 during the Vietnam War—it continued to serve in specialized roles for decades. The rifle’s accuracy and the proven ballistics of the 7.62×51mm cartridge made it particularly well suited for designated marksman and sniper roles, and variants of the M14 remain in limited use today.

Together, the M14 rifle and the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge reflect a transitional era in military small arms—bridging the gap between the full-power battle rifles of the mid-20th century and the lighter assault rifles that would dominate modern warfare.

What Was Agent Orange?During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used a series of chemical herbicides to clear dense jung...
08/11/2025

What Was Agent Orange?

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used a series of chemical herbicides to clear dense jungle vegetation and destroy crops that could conceal enemy forces. One of the most notorious of these was Agent Orange — a blend of herbicides containing dioxin, a highly toxic compound.

Barrels of Agent Orange, marked with their signature orange stripe, were produced in the United States and shipped across the Pacific by military cargo vessels. Once in Vietnam, they were transported by truck convoys, forklifts, and palletized cargo systems to forward operating bases. From there, it was loaded onto helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and riverine craft for spraying missions. Military support personnel — from dock workers to truck drivers — often handled these drums directly, usually without protective equipment.

Dioxin exposure has been linked to a wide range of chronic and life-threatening conditions.

For many Vietnam Veterans, the battle didn’t end when they came home — Agent Orange left a legacy of health struggles that has lasted decades.

At the Mid-Century Military Museum, we honor these veterans by telling the full story — not just of their service in uniform, but of the unseen battles they’ve faced since. Sharing their history helps ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.

If you or someone you know served in Vietnam and has been impacted by Agent Orange, please know you are not alone. The VA offers benefits and support — and your story matters.

The gasser M62 makes light work of moving a spare LDT motor from ground level into the back of a waiting truck. Always s...
08/10/2025

The gasser M62 makes light work of moving a spare LDT motor from ground level into the back of a waiting truck. Always something going on at the motorpool!

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Orange, CT
06477

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