General George Patton Museum Of Leadership — Attraction in Muldraugh

This used to be an Excellent Military Armor Museum. I live in the Midwest, and This 'Was' The 'Only' Major U.S Military History Museum in my part of the Country. Apparently, sometime in the last five years or so (2016), they REMOVED All Of The Excellent Quality/Historical Tanks and Vehicles In the Museum !!!! There is still a "Museum" there, But It NO LONGER Contains The MAJORITY of BEST PIECES OF THE OLD MUSEUM'S COLLECTION!!!! Originally, Outside the museum, along the walkway to the building entrance, were several restored American tanks. From the period roughly from WWII to Vietnam. However, inside the museum, there Was a small, but Significant, collection of Original Restored American and foreign Military Armor Vehicles. The museum was Excellent in that it's collection included some of the most Interesting, Important, and Iconic Military Tanks/Armored vehicals throughout the history of such vehicals. With all being, authentic, original, and restored pieces. No replicas, models, etc. These included Tanks such as; one of the very first "Tanks" invented. An original, restored, British WWI "Tank". The WWII room, included Vehicles Such as the iconic American Sherman. A German Panzer IV, Panzer V "Panther" (Rare) , and most amazing of all, a German "King" Tiger Tank (Extremely Rare!!!) . The German "King"(or "Royal") Tiger Tank, was/is, incredably unique and rare. There are only a Very Few, intact and restored original "King" Tiger's, left in the world !!! The museum also had an original, restored iconic Russian T-34 Tank. That vehicle was a Genuine WWII Era T-34 Tank. (the Russians built versions after the war up into the1960's, and some museums display those later models) . Finally, what I remember best about visiting The Patton Museum, was on every Fourth of July Holiday (at least for several years in the late 1990's and early 2000's when I visited), the Patton Museum held a "WWII American/German Tank Battle "Re-enactment". On the Fourth of July Holiday, WWII Era "Re-enactment" Groups, from all over the country, would get together (for a 3 day period). And on the grounds next to The Patton Museum, they would "Re-enact", a ficticious "Tank Battle". Most amazingly, Using original/restored WWII Vehicles [Tanks, Half-tracks, American Jeeps, German 'Trucks/Kubelwagons', even Anti-Tank Guns, etc !!!]. All of The Tanks, and some of the vehicles, were Actually TAKEN out of the Patton Museum, Restored/Repaired, Back to Working Order, and Used in the usually three hour long event !!!! To see Original Tanks Vehicles from WWII, Actually Running!!!, and "Firing"!!! (Blank Ammunitition); Was Truly a Sight to See !!!. I took, and still have, many Amazing Pictures from those events. As well as the Fantastic Memories of those days. ! Some of the Re-enactors and Attendees, were Actual WWII Veterans !!!. And I Was able to Sit and Talk with those (Then Elderly) WWII Veterans !!! I heard some great First Hand Stories, and Learned Things you would never find out by just reading a history book. But, those events (and the museum's Excellent contents) are No Longer available/ held at The Patton Museum. They have since moved all of the Indoor (The Best) Tanks and Vehicles Collections, from the Patton Museum, Down to Fort Benning ,Georgia. Were, as I Understand that As Of Today, they are still Trying To Raise Enough Money; TO BUILD A MUSEUM BUILDING ( i.e. There Is 'NO' MUSEUM QUALITY BUILDING YET EXISTING !!!!). WERE THEY CAN "DISPLAY" (TO THE PUBLIC), THE TANKS AND VEHICLES THEY MOVED FROM THE 'EXISTING' FORT KNOX PATTON 'MUSEUM...

First off, trust the directions on Google Maps! I was looking for signs, coming down from Louisville and you won't see any when you get up on the Museum. We got turned around and there's not much coming from the south either. When you come from the north (Louisville), look for the coned-off highway turn lane in the median. Yes, you're turning into a fenced-in area with scary warning signs. But, if Google Maps says you're there, you are likely there - it's right next to the highway inside that section.

Parking is a bit of a walk from the building. There are a small handful of tanks out front and a much larger collection of concrete pads that probably held some really cool 'toys' in previous years.

The museum is way bigger than it looks. Even if you're not a history or military person (I mean, I didn't really know much about Patton), do yourself a favor and allot for roughly 2 hours there. Give yourself time to read the plaques, panels, and so forth. There's a lot to learn and digest.

I'm not sure if a 'map' exists of the interior, didn't think to ask at the front desk, but make sure you take it all in. Uniforms, photographs, memorabilia, vehicles, weapons, video displays. Tons of stuff here. Hit every corner and display. There's even stuff unrelated to Patton that incorporates nicely (Vietnam, Korea, 9/11, etc.). Gift shop has some neat things in...

From the parking lot of the Patton Museum, one walks along a 200 yard sidewalk that borders the memorial to all the armored divisions that have served in defense of our country. For example, the closest monument to the sidewalk is dedicated to the 12th Armored Division, referred to as their moniker ... the Hellcats. Admission to the museum is free but donations are encouraged. The museum, while featuring exhibits of U.S. Army leadership from 1775 to the present, it is the life of General George S. Patton Jr. that is central. Patton came from a family of long military leadership. Somehow, after seeing this powerful collection of Patton memorabilia that includes his ivory- handled Colt revolver, early uniforms, his West Point Varsity sweater, and the vehicle from his 1945 accident that that killed him, I got a good sense of the man and his unpparalleled leadership during the war. I learned that he was an excellent athlete, horseman and fencer, having participated in this event in the 1912 Olympics.The museum has many of Patton's quotes and sayings hanging throughout the museum. This museum is well curated and well worth the time to visit. I find it amazing that the quality and maintenance of this museum is upkept by donations. There is plenty of parking and is wheel...