Last updated: 8/10/2011
Centreville, Mississippi
Street Address
138 Main Street
Centreville, MS 39631
Mailing Address
P. O. Box 1113
Centreville, MS 39631-1113
phone: 601-645-9000
e-mail: info@vandorn.org
web: www.vandorn.org

Hours

Monday-Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Admissions

Free

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Mike Stewart
phone: 601-645-9000
Sandra Freeman
phone: 601-645-9000
Patricia Rogers
phone: 601-645-9000
Emma Zell Knighton
phone: 601-645-9000
Lorene Reid
phone: 601-645-9000
Description

Camp Van Dorn was a Theater of Operations camp established after the bombing of Pearl Harbor to train men for the war in Europe. The museum is dedicated to honoring and preserving the memory the camp and the men and women who trained there. Veterans have been incredibly generous in donating artifacts to this museum. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History works closely with us to aid in preserving the integrity of our collections. We are participating in a pilot program of the American Association for State and Local History. We have a traveling exhibit and frequently visit school, club, and church groups. We are planning a celebration in November honoring all veterans that will include, among other things, a National Guard weapons demonstration.

History

The museum opening and dedication was held on March 19, 2005. The museum is housed in a beautifully restored building that was originally the first bank in the town of Centreville. A matching grant assisted in the building restoration.

Artifact Collections

Military objects, such as guns, shells, uniforms, flags, German artifacts, artifacts from Camp Van Dorn, the Siegfried Line, and the Battle of the Bulge. Camp souvenirs (pillow covers, postcards, matchbooks, etc.), WAC artifacts, dioramas.

Research Collections

Vintage newspapers, including camp newspapers, 63rd and 99th Division newspapers, YANK, and Stars and Stripes. Many veterans' memoirs and mini-biographies of many Camp Van Dorn veterans. Photographs from the Camp, veterans, and the war. Rare Regiment and Division books. General World War II Books. Military documents and records. Period registration books from a local hotel. Video-taped interviews with Camp Van Dorn veterans. Vintage letters and cards. We have a computer kiosk for the general public to do research in our collections.

Educational Programs

Traveling exhibits, gallery tours, lectures, docent programs, on-hands/interactive exhibits for children. No fees charged for any of these services.

Library
Access: General Public
Appointment required: No
Publications

We publish a quarterly newsletter, an annual report, and weekly museum news updates in the local paper.

Newsletter
Annual Report
Weekly article in the Woodville Republican newspaper
Periodic articles in surrounding community newspapers
Services
Gift Shop
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

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Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

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