Museum of the American G.I.

Christmas Truce
2021-12-11 10:00 - 2021-12-12 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Texas
Watch history come alive!
Come experience the time WWI paused for Christmas bringing mortal enemies together as friends
December 11 & 12, 2021
Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM
$10 Adults, $5 Kids (5-11), Under 5 free (Cash Price )
Price Includes admission to the museum
Credit cards accepted (with convenience fee)
Free Parking on-site!
Christmas Truce is a ‘Special Event day’ regular admission prices are not valid
What is the Christmas Truce?
The countries of Europe went to war in the summer of 1914 with enthusiasm and the belief that the conflict would be over by Christmas (December 25) of that year. Within months, however, hundreds of thousands of soldiers had been killed in heavy fighting. In September, the German advance into France had been halted at the Marne and the “Race to the Sea” between Germany and the Allies culminated at the First Battle of Ypres in October. The result was a bloody stalemate, where both sides had built continuous lines of trenches from the North Sea to the Swiss border.
By December 1914 the reality of trench warfare quickly settled in. Heavy rain soaked both the trenches and the No Man’s Land that separated them. For those on the Western Front, daily life was miserable, but it was a misery that was shared by enemies who were, in some places, separated by 50 yards. By Christmas Eve, a tenuous truce slowly started to take hold. The Germans placed Christmas trees and candles on their trenches and began singing Christmas carols. The British responded by singing carols of their own. As morning broke on Christmas Day, both German and British soldiers slowly emerged from their trenches meeting in No Man’s Land to socialize, exchange gifts, and in some places play games.
After Christmas, violence returned to the Western Front. While there were punishments linked to the events of the Christmas Truce, British and German generals quickly took steps to prevent any further episodes of fraternization between their men. There were no subsequent widespread cease-fires on the Western Front until the armistice of November 1918.
How do you get tickets and how do you do to enter the event
1) Upon arrival, you will first enter the museum to purchase your tickets for the Christmas Truce.
2) Next, you will proceed to the vehicle departure point where you will ride a military vehicle to the WWI Demonstration field where all of the Christmas Truce activities will take place.
3) The Gate will open at 10 AM on both days. Come early and stay all day! You will not want to miss anything.
4) Food vendors will be on-site to make sure no one goes hungry!
5) It is that simple!
TENTATIVE Schedule of Events (times are subject to change)
Saturday – 10 AM – 4 PM
10:00 AM- Gates Open
11:00 AM – Christmas Truce Presentation
12:00 PM – Trench Tours
3:00 PM – Christmas Truce Presentation
4:00 PM- Event Over
Sunday – 10 AM – 2 PM
10:00 AM- Gates Open
10:00 AM – Trench Tours
12:00 PM – Christmas Truce Presentation
1:00 PM – Trench Tours
2:00 PM – Event Over

History In Motion
2021-11-13 10:00 - 2021-12-14 14:00
November 13 & 14, 2021
Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM

$10 Adults, $5 Kids (5-11), Under 5 free (Cash Price )

Credit cards accepted (with convenience fee)
History in Motion is a ‘Special Event day’
regular admission prices are not valid

Ride in a WWII Tank or WWII Half-Track: Information
EVENT MAP: MAP
Interested in Volunteering? Signup
Tanks, Tanks, Tanks! Hear the rumble of historic tanks, vehicles, and boom of artillery at the Museum of the American G.I.’s “History in Motion”. Feel the ground shake as the tanks, vehicles, and artillery take to the arena in a fantastic display of historic military might! At the Museum of the American G.I., you will see one of the finest collections of pristinely restored vehicles in the South!
This action-packed weekend has fun activities for the entire family! There will be vehicle and weapon demonstrations throughout the day. In between the demonstrations, you can see historic military vehicles up close or take a ride in a WWII tank or Half-Track!
Gates open at 9:30 AM on both days. Saturday hours will be 10 AM – 4 PM and Sunday hours will be 10 AM to 2 PM. Come early and stay all day! You will not want to miss anything. Food vendors will be on-site to make sure no one goes hungry! Free Parking on-site! Upon entering the museum property, you will ride in a WWII 2 1/2 ton CCKW or modern HUMVEE to the demonstration fields where all of the activities will take place. Make sure you make plans to attend Santa’s Wonderland after History in Motion – the Museum of the American G.I. is the designated charity and all hot chocolate sales are donated to the museum!
Shoot a Machine Gun (paintball)
Visit the artillery range to fire a machine gun (paintball) for only a $10 (Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection).
Shoot a Howitzer
Visit the artillery range for the opportunity to pull the lanyard on a historic 75 mm Howitzer! Participants will get to shoot off one blank, experiencing the force of this amazing piece of artillery.
*$40/round (Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection)
Take a ride in a WWII tank**!
Visit the transportation station for the opportunity to ride in a WWII tank for one loop around the arena! For more information click here!
*$125/person. (Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection)
Take a ride in a WWII half-track**!
Visit the transportation station for the opportunity to ride in a WWII half-track for one loop around the arena! For more information click here!
*$20/person. (Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection)
For more information on riding in a WWII tank or WWII half-track click on the links above or click here!
**Health & Safety Regulations for ride participants: Safety is our number one priority for anyone who rides in our vehicles. Tank Ride participants must be at least 7 years or older, with a minimum height of 52 in, and the ability to climb on and off the vehicle and in and out of the hatches unassisted. Tank Ride participants must have no underlying health conditions that would preclude riding in “off-road” conditions. All Tank Ride participants (or their legal guardian) must sign a hold-harmless agreement. The Museum of the American G.I. and its crew reserve the right to refuse any participant (tank ride or half-track ride) who they deem unfit or unsafe to themselves, other participants, or the crew. The ticket price will be refunded if the ride is canceled for safety reasons.
TENTATIVE Schedule of Events (times are subject to change)
Saturday – 10 AM – 4 PM
9:30 AM- Gates Open
10:00 AM – Opening Ceremony in Arena 1 with Light Vehicle Demonstration featuring our
M8 Greyhound, M5A1 Stuart, M8 Motor Gun Carriage, M24 Chaffee
11:00 AM – Weapons Demonstration in Arena 2 featuring a flame thrower*
12:00 PM – Vehicle Demonstration in Arena 1 featuring our Vietnam Era Vehicles – USMC Ontos, M113 APC
1:00 PM – Weapons Demonstration in Arena 2 featuring a flame thrower*
2:00 PM – Tank Destroyers and Medium Tank Demonstration featuring our Sherman Tanks
3:00 PM- Weapons Demonstration in Arena 2 featuring a flame thrower*
4:00 PM- Event Over
Sunday – 10 AM – 2 PM
9:30 AM- Gates Open
10:00 AM – Opening Ceremony in Arena 1 with Light Vehicle Demonstration featuring our
M8 Greyhound, M5A1 Stuart, M24 Chaffee
11:00 AM – Weapons Demonstration in Arena 2 featuring a flame thrower *
12:00 PM – Vehicle Demonstration in Arena 1 featuring our Vietnam Era Vehicles – USMC Ontos, M113 APC
1:00 PM – Weapons Demonstration in Arena 2 featuring a flame thrower *
2:00 PM – Medium Tank Demonstration featuring our Sherman Tanks
Event Over
*Flame Thrower Demonstration is strictly weather-dependent. It will be canceled under windy conditions.
The History in Motion program and vehicles listed to take part are subject to health and safety, operational, weather, and mechanical considerations. The Museum of the American G.I. reserves the right to amend or modify the program or withdraw vehicles, at any time without notification when reasonably required in accordance with its own best-practice procedures or those of exhibit owners. As with all historic machines, the appearance of any vehicle or tank in the arena display is subject to its mechanical reliability on the day.
Event Map

Volunteering
Interesting in volunteering? Volunteers are needed and appreciated! To sign up either click here or click the button!

First time to visit?

Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you plan for an amazing day:

Will this be your first time attending an event at the museum? If so, you might have a lot of questions about what is allowed at our events. Never fear! We want to ensure that our event is safe and fun for the whole family, so we answered some common questions here:

Where do I park?
Parking for History in Motion is on-site. If you are attending Sant’s Wonderland, make sure you park in their lot next to the museum. From there you can walk to the Museum’s gate.

May I bring in outside food or drink?
Yes! We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated, but please leave the alcohol at home. We do not recommend bringing large coolers, so make sure everything can fit in a purse, bag, or backpack. If you don’t want to carry around lots of items, we will be selling food and water at various locations all day.

Is everything handicap or wheelchair accessible?
We do our best to make our events as wheelchair-friendly as possible. History in Motion will be all outside on potentially uneven or muddy terrain (depending on the weather). All activities will be on a hill a short distance from the parking area, but we provide rides to and from this location to seniors, expectant or new mothers, and those with disabilities.

What should I bring or wear?
All of the History in Motion activities will be outside, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for walking on dirt and grass. We recommend a hat and sunscreen, and potentially a rain jacket or umbrella if rain is in the forecast. Don’t forget your camera for pictures and extra spending money!

Can I pay in credit?
You may purchase tickets at the gate with a credit card. Our gift shop and select stations also accept cards. Credit card purchases will have a small processing fee added. Cash, of course, is always welcome especially in the exact amount for the gate entry and special activities!

Will there be seating at the arena?
Yes! We will have bleachers, though seating is very limited. You may bring a chair if you want, but be prepared to have to carry it for long walks.

Will the demonstrations be loud?
Yes, we simulate real gunfire and explosions, so there will be quite a bit of noise. We will have earplugs available for purchase at the site, but you may also wish to bring your own. Be especially aware that the noise may upset infants and young children.

Are pets allowed at the event?
Yes, if they remain on a leash and are well behaved. We also ask that you clean up after their potty breaks, as no one likes tracking poop!

May I climb on the vehicles?
No, unless you are at a photo station or a vehicle ride, otherwise you may not climb on or into any vehicles.

May I touch the display?
Please do not touch any displays unless you have the express permission of the living historian running the display. Much of the equipment our living historians use is original, and thus easily 70 years old or more. Please respect the equipment and leave it available for future generations.

May I photograph events and displays?
Yes! We love seeing your photographs of our events, and don’t forget to tag us on Facebook!
May I bring a drone?
No. Only drones used for the exclusive purpose of the museum are allowed.

Remembering the Fallen
2021-05-27 00:00
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon
Memorial Day is the time we, as a Nation, set aside to remember those who have fallen in service to our country. On May 27-31, the Museum of the American G.I. will be “Remembering the Fallen” with special exhibits and displays. Visit the Vietnam Heroes Exhibit to see the 3, 417 dog tags honoring all Texas Veterans who died or were missing in action in Vietnam. Learn about the Gold Star Aggies from WWI to Desert Storm. Walkthrough the Remembrance Crosses dedicated to the Gold Stars from the Brazos Valley.
Join us on Sunday, May 30 at 3 PM as our Armored Support Group performs a 21-gun salute with 105 Howitzers. This program will cap our week-long commemoration of those who sacrificed all for our Nation. Even though the 21 gun salute is outdoors, we ask that everyone maintain social distancing during the ceremony.
We hope you can join us during our week of “Remembering the Fallen”.
