Wyoming National Guard Museum

10/16/2026

From the Galleries - Japanese Type 97 Hand Gr***de

The Type 97 was the standard hand gr***de for the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces during WWII. It was first introduced in 1937. The gr***de is made of cast iron with patterned groves (crenulations) that would break apart into shrapnel. A soldier would pull the pin, screw the firing pin down, then remove the protective cap, and hit the primer against a hard surface. This would initiate a 4-5 second delay before detonation. The gr***de was unreliable and dangerous to use, due to the unpredictable fuse. (img: Aubrey Halik)

Look for Type 97 in our WWII Exhibit during your next visit to the Museum!

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

On this Day - The Cheyenne Guards

On October 12, 1888 Territorial Governor Thomas Moonlight officially mustered B Company, 1st Wyoming Regiment into militia service. "The Cheyenne Guards" were the second company in the newly organized Wyoming National Guard.

10/09/2026

From the Galleries - Japanese Type 92 Helmet

The Imperial Japanese Armed Forces used the Type 92 helmet during WWII. It was called the "Tetsukabuto" meaning "steel helmet" by troops. It was introduced in 1932, serving for over a decade. Our helmet has a square hole in it, possibly from an American hand gr***de or some other kind of high velocity shrapnel. (Img: Aubrey Halik)

Look for the Type 92 Helmet in our WWII Exhibit during your next visit to the Museum!

10/02/2026

From the Galleries - Ratchet Noise Maker

Wooden ratchet noise makers were used as alarms during poison gas attacks during the WWI. They were traditional known as "matracas." They're used by holding the handle and spinning the upper framework. This action generates an extremely loud, sharp clacking noise that would alert soldiers on the ground in the trenches of a gas attack. (Img: Aubrey Halik)

Look for the noise maker in our WWI Exhibit during your next visit to the Museum!

09/16/2026

The Wyoming National Guard Museum will be closed tomorrow, September 17, for staff training

09/11/2026

Today we mark the 25th Anniversary of 9-11.

08/29/2026

The Wyoming National Guard Museum will be closed today (August 29, 2026). We'll resume our regular schedule tomorrow.

08/28/2026

From the Galleries - 115th Cavalry Regiment Unit Crest

The painted shield includes the unit crest for the 115th Cavalry Regiment. The Wyoming National Guard reorganized after the First World War around a cavalry regiment. The War Department recognized the regiment in 1922 with the 115th Cavalry designation. The crest includes call backs to it service in France during WWI and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. The 2/300th Field Artillery Regiment, Wyoming Army National Guard continues their lineage today.

08/19/2026

The Wyoming National Guard Museum will be closed today (August 20, 2026). We will resume our regular schedule again tomorrow.