From Revolutionary War muskets to 21st-century communications gear, a new free exhibit tracing 250 years of American military equipment just opened at the Westchester County Veterans Museum in Katonah — about a 30-minute drive north of the Rye-Harrison area, making it an easy day trip for local families.

"Evolution: 250 Years of Military Gear" fills the Lasdon Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial with authentic artifacts: boots, headgear, uniforms, firearms, dog tags, communications equipment, medical supplies, haversacks and field rations, tracing how a soldier's gear transformed from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. Interactive touch-screen stations let visitors dig deeper into the collection, and the exhibit doesn't shy away from what the museum calls "some not-so-perfect creations" alongside the innovations that actually worked.

County Executive Ken Jenkins said it "brings history to life in a meaningful and memorable way," helping visitors "better understand the sacrifices, innovation and resilience that have shaped our nation's military history." Veterans Service Agency Director Joshua Gaccione put it even more directly: the exhibit "bridges the gap between generations, allowing interactive access into the tangible items servicemembers carried into battle." This isn't a glass-case museum experience — it's designed to make history feel immediate.

The museum runs as a joint project between the Vietnam Veterans of America Westchester County Chapter 49, Westchester County Parks, and the county's Veterans Service Agency. Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia called it an important educational resource for the community — and this new exhibit replaces "The American Experience During World War II," which had been on display since Memorial Day 2024.

The museum, at 2610 NY Route 35, is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus Memorial Day and Labor Day. Admission is free, donations welcome, and the space is accessible to visitors with disabilities. Kids under 7 need an adult with them.

Have an artifact of your own worth sharing? The museum accepts donations and loans — call (914) 864-7263 or email [email protected].