A History of Service, Sacrifice, and Oklahoma Pride
The Oklahoma Military History Center in Broken Arrow is more than a museum — it’s a living tribute to the men and women who served. Housed in the historic former Franklin Memorial Hospital (built in 1942) in the heart of the Rose District, the Center’s 6,400 sq. ft. facility holds more than 2,700 artifacts spanning nearly every major U.S. conflict, from the War for Independence to present-day operations in Afghanistan.
Military uniforms, weapons, photographs, newspaper articles, personal diaries, and battlefield memorabilia fill every corner of the space. Many items were donated by individuals and families from across Oklahoma, giving the collection a uniquely personal perspective on the American military experience.
What You’ll Discover
Among the highlights visitors encounter are two replica Civil War uniforms alongside an actual chaplain’s coat and Bible from that era. From World War I, a rare 1915 MG 08 machine gun holds a place of honor. World War II is represented through a replica General Patton bomber jacket, rare German straw cover boots, and a Leica camera believed to have been used by Hitler’s personal photographer. Vietnam War artifacts include a haunting recreation of a “tiger cage” — the primitive structures used by North Vietnamese forces to confine American POWs. The collection extends all the way to Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan, ensuring no generation of service goes unrecognized.
More Than Artifacts
Each piece tells a story. Visitors can explore soldiers’ accounts through newspapers, magazines, books, and even the diary of an American POW. The Center is also home to the largest military history library in northeastern Oklahoma, with more than 6,000 volumes — a profound resource for researchers and a deeply human window into lives shaped by service.
Stop in for a self-guided visit or call ahead to arrange a guided tour through the exhibits.
Looking Ahead
The collection continues to grow, driven by ongoing donations from Oklahoma families who want these stories preserved. A proposed new facility near Veterans Park and the Broken Arrow Veterans Center — part of the 2026 General Obligation Bond package — would provide the space to properly house, rotate, and care for an ever-expanding legacy.
Because these stories deserve more than a garage sale.