Dedicated to the preservation of history through the display of militaria, vehicles, and artifacts. The museum is also committed to honoring and remembering the sacrifices made by all who serve or have served. We strive to educate and inform people of all ages of the numerous conflicts our country has faced and of the rich military heritage of our nation’s Armed Forces. The exhibits of artifacts, memorabilia and military vehicles range from the Civil War through present day.
The exhibits of artifacts, memorabilia and military vehicles range from the Civil War through present day.
Mid-South Military Museum, Inc. is a non-profit museum situated in Atoka, Tennessee. It is dedicated to honoring military service and sacrifice through an extensive collection of military vehicles, artifacts, and photographs.
The museum was established in 1990 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, with a member of the museum's board building a physical structure on his private property, and establishing the current location.
The museum qualified for and received a few military vehicles, with their accessories, from a defunct museum. Additional acquisitions started taking place by the museum, with veterans or their families donating uniforms, equipment, memorabilia, and other items. Soon the museum was housing displays of items from the 1800's to current day. Visitors became repeat guests to view the collections and schools brought students to be exposed to historic artifacts that they could touch, feel and operate. Full size dioramas were built to give a sense of reality to the different eras.
Established to educate the public about the contributions of the armed forces across various conflicts, the museum engages visitors of all ages. People choose this museum for its commitment to preserving military history and honoring veterans, providing a valuable resource for understanding the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South in Millington, TN, was originally established as Park Field in 1917 and began as a training school for the Army Signal Corps. A great many pilots trained here for World War I. After the Armistice was signed, however, pilot training was no longer needed and the field supported one of the Southern states' earliest airmail routes.
During the Great Depression, Park Field served as a housing facility for unemployed workers. By 1937, the Resettlement Administration took over the field and turned it into a demonstration area to show off model farms.
Though the field had its years of non-military use, WWII made it an aviation facility once again; the Naval Reserve Aviation Base came to the field in September 1942 and became the first naval aviation site in the Memphis area. Soon after, in January 1943, the base was redesignated NAS Memphis.
The air station served for several years before its mission and functions changed drastically in 1949 - a "new" Naval Air Station took over logistical control for the next several decades. With the Base Realignment and Closure Commission of 1993 came the end to the air station's long reign of management. The base became NSA Mid-South in 1998 and today is the home of Navy Personnel Command, Navy Recruit Command, and the MyNavy Career Center. It remains one of Tennessee's largest employers with over 6,000 full-time personnel.
Image credits: *"Park Field, Millington, TN" (2024). Park Field and Memphis Aviation. 3.https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-rpevahouse2/3*