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(1) Honor those who served with the Texas Military Forces from the pre-Republic era to modern day.

(2) Educate the people of Texas, and especially its students, about the role of the Texas military forces in the history of the state, the nation, and the world.

(3) Facilitate the preservation of relevant artifacts, including not only military equipment and vehicles, but also audio recordings, documents, maps, personal histories, and visual images.

(4) Ensure that the Museum operates in an efficient, cost-effective, and safe manner.

(5) Promote the accessibility of all Museum facilities and programs.

(6) Provide a facility and programs that serve the needs of the Camp Mabry community.

Action Steps

Step 1. Complete essential building repairs and facility upgrades (e.g., installation of a fire suppression system and renovation of the restrooms). Most would agree that these tasks are of the highest priority and that until they have been completed, little else is feasible.

Step 2. Reorganize the exhibit space to enhance the visitor experience while minimizing the cost and disruption of renovation. Cost effective, but efficient, improvements may be made to the Museum exhibits and visitor service areas without the need for a massive overhaul of the Museum's current layout and exhibit offerings. Toward that end, I have developed the following proposal that minimizes costs by eliminating the need to change/remove any walls within the Main Building. It also seeks to make the best and highest use of the artifacts, exhibits and reference materials already in the Museum's collection. At the same time, operational realities (e.g., staffing limitations and the need to monitor visitors for security purposes) are prominent planning considerations as well.

Step 2a. Move the operable vehicles[1] to a Quonset Hut located behind the Museum. Not only does moving vehicles in and out of the main building bring in undesirable dirt and debris, it also puts extremely unpleasant/unhealthy fumes into the air. Driving the vehicles in and out of the front of the building also creates a safety hazard for visitors. [2] Thus, the first priority must be to relocate them to eliminate these problems. With open space available immediately behind the Museum, positioning a Quonset Hut there would be ideal. The entrance could open immediately onto the road behind the Museum, providing safe driving to various locations around the post.[3]

Such a move produces additional benefits for the Museum, especially if the Museum could find a used Quonset Hut from another military base, preferably a National Guard facility in Texas. That would meet the facility needs and add to the historical flavor, perhaps at a substantially reduced cost. Placement of the operational vehicles in a Quonset Hut behind the Museum also would create more traffic for its Armor Row and Artillery Park. One should mention too that Quonset Huts have a rich military history, a fact that should be highlighted via a display in the facility.

Given that the vehicle washing area behind the Museum has a water connection, it should be feasible to add restrooms to the adjacent/nearby Quonset Hut. So equipped, the Hut would be a terrific location for old-fashioned WWII/USO style fundraisers, both for Museum/Camp Mabry use and for private rental, thereby creating a potential revenue stream for the Museum to help fund ongoing operations and/or other renovations. [4]

Adjacent to the hut (perhaps under a carport type structure), I would suggest reserving space for construction of a radio controlled tank course. Not only would this be a draw for RCT enthusiasts (thereby creating goodwill for the Museum) it would be an outstanding benefit for the Camp Mabry family, especially if the Museum could have several tanks available for rent. This could be an ideal project for private sponsorship.[5]

Step 2b. Maximize space within the main building without substantial renovation. Working clockwise from the main building,[6] I would recommend the following actions regarding existing exhibit and staff space:

(a) One of the greatest flaws of the current Museum configuration (and the proposed Master Plan) is that visitors must come so far into the building before they contact a docent or staff member. To resolve that problem, an information desk/security station should be placed immediately inside the entrance, using the space between the main doors and the entrance to the 36^th Gallery. [7]

This would allow volunteers/staff to greet visitors instantly upon their entrance to the Museum to give them a general overview of both internal and external exhibits. This layout also promotes exhibit security as it gives staff an unobstructed view of the Great Hall and entrances to all public areas. [8] The objective here is to allow a minimal number of volunteers/staff to monitor the entire Museum, enabling it to have all exhibits open at all times during Museum hours.[9] Racks for brochures (both those of the Museum and related organizations) should be installed here, making them readily accessible to both visitors and volunteers. If feasible, monitors for the security system cameras should be installed at this desk.

Positioning of the information desk in this location means that the equipment for the public address system (now located in the photo archives) would be readily at hand. In case of an emergency, that ready access could save lives. Under the draft Master Plan, the docents would be a substantial distance from the public address system, requiring (for public safety) the relocation of a public address system, additional to the cost of the renovation.

A second major flaw of the Master Plan is that it would require visitors to channel through a doorway into a small lobby, then to weave through a series of exhibits, to swing back through the small lobby, and then to go back out the small doorway to view the second half of the exhibit area (where no docents may be available to assist visitors). That plan would produce multiple potential bottlenecks during heavy visitation periods. [10] My layout, as described in subpoints (b) to (o), avoids that flaw and promotes good traffic flow. In addition, this plan retains the north door as a readily accessible emergency exit.[11]

(b) Use the Entrance to display all donor and volunteer acknowledgements. Plaques from both the Main Gallery and the 36^th Division Gallery should be moved here[12] and information about the history of the building itself should be organized for placement in this location. As space allows, displays about recent events at the Museum and/or photographs of all of its staff and volunteers could be mounted on the walls.[13]

(c) Retain the photo archives room for that purpose and for use by other staff. The value of this configuration is that, if information desk staff needs assistance, it would be readily at hand on weekdays. In addition, by replacing the external wooden door to this office space with a glass one, staff could help monitor visitors in the Great Hall.

(d) Retain the Distinguished Unit Insignia/conference room. That's a great display, although it needs signage to explain the significance of the collection to visitors.

(e) Retain the office area as is, but convert the small office next to the conference room into a desperately needed mini-kitchen/break room.[14] Virtually all functions held in the conference room involve some sort of food service, but the Museum is woefully ill-equipped for it. By adding a large sink for rinsing dishes and moving the staff coffee pot, microwave, and refrigerator and the ice machine into this office serves both the needs of visitors and staff with minimal disruption. No office space would be lost as the space now used for the staff coffee service, microwave, and refrigerator could be converted to working space.

Placement of the kitchen/break room here also means that it will be easy for individuals to back their car up to the nearby door, unload their food items, and move them into the kitchen with minimal impact on the office area. Volunteers could enter the break room through the conference room foyer, thereby further avoiding disruptions to the office staff.

(f) Proceed with plans for alterations to the artifact, housekeeping, library, maintenance, restroom, and storage areas. I would note, however, the idea of a Civil War reading room (with 6 blue and 6 gray chairs) was a great marketing idea. I strongly suggest that you reconsider the decision to turn it into a general reference room. See (n) for additional relevant recommendations.

(g) Transfer the gift shop and women in the military exhibit to the Great Hall but otherwise retain the Main Gallery as currently configured, except as provided in (h). As such, the Main Gallery would offer visitors a general (but not all inclusive) chronological overview of the history of Texas military forces from pre-Republic to modern day. At appropriate points in that basic chronology, visitors should be directed to other exhibits in the Museum (e.g., the 36^th Division Gallery) for a deeper look at a given time period (e.g., World War II) or a unit's actions (e.g., Air Guard or Lost Battalion).[15]

(h) Relocate the Medal of Honor display to the Great Hall[16] and convert this space into a recording studio for oral/video histories. As a volunteer, many times I wanted to capture a story being told to be by a veteran, but I had no equipment or training to do so. Creation of this studio would enable us to capture those precious stories for the benefit of all. A small project like this lends itself well to private sponsorship, thus, it could be among the first projects undertaken/completed. [17]

Particularly valuable would be recollections of veterans that relate to Museum exhibits. With appropriate legal releases, the best of these recollections could be converted to audio presentations that could be triggered next to the appropriate Museum (i.e., "Push here to listen to the recollections of a T-Patcher who was at the Rapido River"). In addition, excerpts from these oral histories could be used in an audio tour of the Museum.[18]

(i) Retain the Air Guard room, but with the planned reconfiguration of exhibits. From a marketing and visitor standpoint, it makes excellent sense to retain this separate display.

(j) Convert the existing Lost Battalion room[19]into the Camp Mabry Cinema,[20] where a rotating series of military training films, documentaries, and/or military themed television shows/movies might be shown (e.g., "To Hell and Back"). The room is equipped now with basic video equipment making this a simple conversion. (If feasible, the nearly completed Audie Murphy exhibit could be moved into and/or outside of this room.) This exhibit should be a prime candidate for equipment and film/video donations, thereby allowing for ongoing upgrades.

(k) Convert part of the adjacent office space[21] into a children's activity center.[22] I suggest this based on a recent visit to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, which has a children's activity center. On the floor is a rug that sets out a nice roadway for the children to use with the toy cars provided. Also in the area are small chairs and tables (for use in coloring activity sheets or solving puzzles that relate to automobile themes), pedal cars, and other automotive related toys. Rest assured, parents/grandparents love having a place to entertain otherwise restless children. The opportunities here for the Museum are endless as would be the potential for private funding of/donations to this special area.

Of course, prominent signage would indicate that all children in the area must be accompanied by an adult. Contributor 1 also recommends that the room include comfortable seating so that the adults could get a bit of a rest while their little ones play.

(l) Move the chapel/chaplain's exhibit from the 36^th Gallery into the remainder of the office space along that wall. The chapel in the 36^th Gallery warrants more prominent placement and a separate entrance. The exhibit must be positioned carefully, to avoid sunlight from the glass window damaging the cloth robes, as has occurred in its current location. [23]

(m) Retain the 36^th Gallery as is through the World War II exhibits. Blend the post-War materials into other relevant exhibits in the Museum. Transfer the Lost Battalion display into the last room and the chapel, placing the video equipment in the room now occupied by the chapel. Install a glass door to separate the Lost Battalion from the 36^th Division displays. Replace the exit door with a glass door as well (to allow entrance to the exhibit from the outside).

(n) Contributor 1 suggested that, somewhere within the Museum, a public access computer should be available to assist visitors in military related genealogical research. The best place for it would be in the first room of the 36^th Division Gallery, which already is used by docents to do research for visitors on T-Patchers. Creation of a mini-research center here would be beneficial because, unlike the library, the 36^th Division Gallery would be open on weekends. It's logical too, because many of the Museum's research requests relate to World War II soldiers, especially from the 36^th Division.

Thus, I would have some of the basic electronic and print reference works available. The roster books from the adjacent rooms could be moved into a bookcase here,[24] allowing the removal of the ledges that hold them, thereby freeing up space for exhibits. Perhaps the books about the Medal of Honor winners could be moved here too.[25] The best part of this positioning would be that the information desk would be just outside the door in the likely event a docent wasn't in the Gallery at the time.

(o) Use the full length of the Great Hall for flexible exhibit space (see recommendations that follow). Don't chop it in half as recommended in the proposed Master Plan. Right now, you have invaluable space that allows you to move many elements of Muster Day indoors in the event of inclement weather. It also allows you to use the Hall for various events (e.g., memorabilia shows). Furthermore, I think you lose the sense of the building (e.g., its use as a mess hall) if you cut the building in half. So retain it as is.

Step 2c. Reconfigure and enhance Great Hall exhibits. To meet the needs of the full range of visitors, this layout places all of the youth oriented and general interest exhibits (e.g., gift shop, Medal of Honor, women in the military) in the Great Hall.[26]

Life of a Soldier. Once most of the vehicles have been relocated to the Quonset Hut behind the Museum, the Museum will have sufficient space in the Great Hall to organize exhibits in a creative manner. Toward that end, I might suggest that "Life of a Soldier" could be the theme for at least one set of exhibits. The goal of this arrangement of exhibits is to build a personal connection between the visitors and the soldiers who sacrificed on their behalf. Depending on the holdings of the Museum, this cluster of exhibits could represent a single period in time (e.g., World War II) or a combination thereof (e.g., Civil and Korean Wars).

Since "An Army Marches on Its Stomach," a major component of this exhibit could be built around the Mess Truck already located in the Great Hall. Given that the Museum itself was once a mess hall, the addition of mess tables and related gear would be appropriate. [27] Also, the field kitchen from the Main Gallery should be moved here. To add a degree of realism to the visitor experience, consideration should be given to selling MREs in the gift shop and allowing their consumption at the mess tables.

Focusing on a soldier's experiences in the field, a tent could be pitched nearby and equipped with the appropriate gear both for individual living (e.g., cot) and military operations (e.g., communications set). Drawing from the Museum's extensive uniform collection, a related display could focus on the various types of uniforms worn by a given soldier or the changes in uniforms over time. Obviously, an endless stream of ever changing exhibits could be developed along this theme.

Special exhibits. Also in the Great Hall could be displays relocated from elsewhere in the Museum (e.g., model tanks and women in the military). Space should be reserved as well for "This Day/Month in History" and "New at the Texas Military Forces Museum" exhibits. A display on the multiple roles of the National Guard would be beneficial for the many visitors who may have little, if any, understanding of the differences between the Guard and the regular Army. In addition, the Audie Murphy exhibit should be completed and placed appropriately (e.g., either next to the proposed theater or near/in the 36^th Division Gallery). [28]

Demonstration/storytelling stage. Many of the Museum's greatest assets are human, so it should facilitate their utilization. At a suitable location, therefore, the Museum should create a demonstration/storytelling area. [29]

Here, volunteers might assist visitors in identification of their "military treasures," discuss an item from the Museum's collection, or recount their personal experiences. Guard members could illustrate how to pack a parachute. Visitors also could get a "behind the scenes" look at Museum operations if the leather conservators, a model builder, the exhibit technician, or other craftsman would periodically work there.[30] Book signings could be conducted at this spot as well. The sky would be the limit in the types of activities that could be centered here.

To facilitate these presentations, full audio visual capabilities (including microphone) should be installed as should be some type of seating (either chairs or benches) for approximately 30 visitors. Assuming sufficient seating would be available, tour groups could be seated here for introductory remarks by the docents.

Flexible layout. However the Great Hall might be outfitted, the exhibits and other items placed there should be installed in a way that allows for their movement or temporary removal. Do that with the thought in mind that at some point, the Museum might wish to host a large short-term exhibit (e.g., commemorating the 70^th anniversary of the start of World War II) filling most, if not all, of the Great Hall.

Step 2d. Consider other physical plant and exhibit priorities not addressed in the Master Plan. (a) Given the Museum's pivotal role in preserving important military artifacts and vehicles, attention should be paid to preservation of the tanks/vehicles along Armor Row. Although I know objection has been raised to placing them under cover, I think it's a decision that needs to be rethought.

(b) With regard to Armor Row and Artillery Park, a handicapped accessible rear exit to the Museum and all necessary sidewalks should be created to allow visitors with mobility limitations to view those holdings.[31] As Contributor 1 pointed out, viewing of outside exhibits is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for all but the able bodied (and it's not easy for those pushing strollers). Covered walkways also would be a particularly beneficial, Contributor 1 added.[32] Appropriate signage at both the front entrance (visible as people enter and leave the Museum) and back door should direct visitors to those exhibit areas.[33]

(c) In all exhibit space, give thoughtful consideration to floor coverings. In most places, the carpet is extremely difficult to keep clean and in good repair. With funding for housekeeping of the exhibit areas heretofore non-existent, it's imperative that easy care but highly durable flooring be installed.

(d) Museum security should be upgraded. Per Contributor 1's suggestion, a monitor should be located just inside the door to each Gallery so that visitors will see that they are being watched via the security system (to reduce the threat of vandalism as well as theft). All external doors should be repaired/replaced to ensure that they close tightly after an individual passes through them. In addition, a safe should be in the Main Gallery so that weekend volunteers may store donations and gift shop receipts securely when staff is not on duty.

(e) An enhanced public address system is needed both for safety reasons and to better serve visitors (e.g., to give instructions to large tour groups). Speakers should be positioned on the outside of the building too so that individuals viewing Armor Row and Artillery Park could hear the announcements.

Since military bands are an integral part of military history, the Museum should have the capacity to play military band selections softly over the system during Museum hours. At times, docents have done this (especially in the Main Gallery) and it's been enjoyable for both volunteers and visitors.

(f) Many visitors to the Museum are not from Texas. For their benefit, a large state map, showing the location of historic events (e.g., Battle of San Jacinto) as well as former/current military bases, should be developed and displayed somewhere, perhaps at the entrance to the Main Gallery.

Step 3. Institute a Planning Process. The greater the input to any Museum Master Plan, the greater potential for public and private sector financial support for completion of its recommended actions. Contributor 2 recommends, therefore, that a small team, four or five people at most, meet to analyze all of the feedback from the draft Master Plan and generate an updated plan. In the meantime, the Museum should do a simple visitor survey, no more than 3 questions, as follows:

1. How did you hear about the Museum?

2. What specific item did you like about the Museum?

3. What specific item you want us to improve?

After analyzing that round of feedback/survey results, a further updated plan should be distributed to the docents, board members, Museum staff, and other interested parties (e.g., professionals from other museums such as the Bullock Museum). This version might include a few artistic renditions or even a simple floor plan. After a sufficient time for review and comment, use a small team to update the plan again. At that point, Contributor 2 notes, the Museum will have a plan based on extensive feedback, which will yield buy in from a whole group of people (i.e., versus a small group coming up with a take or leave it plan). Then the Museum staff should:

1. Generate a project plan, which by definition will have to be phased in as the Museum is unlikely to have a lump sum of money sufficient for all desired improvements, and

2. Do artistic rending(s) and computer generation of the proposed layout. [34]

Other Planning Considerations

(a) Not every incident in Texas military history needs to be addressed by a physical display in the Museum. Too much detail undermines the visitor experience and isn't cost-effective. Visitors are best served if the Museum focuses on several areas. Only in rare instances should the Museum create an exhibit if it does not have compelling artifacts to display.

One needs to be mindful too of the other Museums and historic sites in the immediate area (e.g., the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Museum, the Texas State History Museum, the Alamo, the National Museum of the Pacific War, the museum for the Texas Rangers, and the US Army Medical Department Museum), taking pains to avoid exhibits that duplicate their offerings.

(b) In addition to prioritizing, the Museum should tap modern technology to serve visitors. Contributor 2 pointed out the merits of installing computer simulations to enhance the visitor experience. To support various technology enhancements, however, creation of a computer network (hard wired or wireless) serving the entire building will be essential, he also pointed out.

In the near term, the Museum could place a public access computer in the Main Gallery near the docent's desk allowing visitors to call up additional details on all aspects of Texas military history. Using the descriptive material that would be developed for this in-house use, a "Texas Military Forces History" DVD could be created and distributed to schools across the state. If sufficient financing could be obtained, multiple versions could be prepared to fit various age groups.

(c) Remember too that the Museum can reach people across the state, the nation, and the globe through the Internet. Focus resources not only on digitizing the Museum's collection for in-house use but also on posting it online.

(d) As pressing as the physical needs are for the Museum, the personnel ones are equally if not more important. With a volunteer corps overwhelmingly over 50 years of age (and many key volunteers over 70), the critical need is for staff to support the mission of the Museum, especially on weekends. Artifacts can't be preserved without regular cleaning/dusting, but the Museum relies on untrained volunteers to accomplish this task. Exhibits are often covered with dust and cobwebs. The upholstered furniture used by docents and visitors, in all likelihood, has never been shampooed. How embarrassing! [35]

Following maintenance/housekeeping needs, priority should be given to funding of a full-time educational coordinator/grant writer, with emphasis on outreach to student groups.

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Footnotes