U.S. Army’s first MI Museum opens at Fort Huachuca
Oct. 10, 1974
On Oct. 10, 1974, the U.S. Army’s Intelligence Museum opened at Fort Huachuca with a ribbon cutting by Maj. Gen. Harold Aaron, the assistant chief of staff for Intelligence.
The Sphinx was moved from Fort Holabird, Md., to Fort Huachuca and took up its position in front of the museum. During the remainder of 1974, the museum welcomed 500 guests, both civilian and military, from the surrounding communities, around the U.S. and from foreign countries.
When it opened, the museum collection included more than 400 items on display, with another 1,000 items on hand to display as funds became available. The museum closed on July 24, 1976, due to the abolishment of the museum curator’s position but was scheduled to reopen in 1977 under the control of the director, Directorate of Training. The artifacts were packed up, shipped back east, and were lost as a collection.
In fact, it wasn’t until 1987, the year that the MI Corps was established, that the Chief of the MI Corps, Maj. Gen. Julius Parker, approved the establishment of an MI Corps historical holding, the first step in creating an MI museum.
On Aug. 14, 1995, the former Print Plant in Building 41411 was turned over for conversion into the U.S. Army Intelligence Museum. Renovation work began immediately with the MI Corps Association funding the work in the amount of $20,000. It was completed in time for a Nov. 2 opening and dedication ceremony, presided over by Brig. Gen. John Smith, deputy commanding general, and attended by over 200 invited dignitaries from Fort Huachuca and the local community.
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