Lewis Army Museum

First of all I gratefully thank the men and women of our armed forces that serve and have served in order to provide me the freedom to express my opinion in this review. I don't want to poo poo this review, but I just felt like the experience could have been so much better. First of all, the confusion over whether a Washington driver's license actually is sufficient ID was frustrating to deal with. Unless you have military ID, be sure you check in at the visitor center with your State or Gov't issued ID before you try to get on base. That being said, I know it's a free attraction, but with a little effort it could be so much better. I know that there are a lot of improvements being made to the museum, but one thing that can quickly and easily be addressed is the fact that most of the info cards or signs that should be (and used to be) found on the military Vehicles outside, are missing. It's cool to see such history, but it would be even cooler to know what you were looking at. The antique Weaponry on display inside is very nice. I anxiously await the completion of the expansion bringing the museum through the modern era.
7 years ago (24-11-2017)

We went to a Christmas event teaching about Christmas during WWI. Learning new facts about that faced Christmas was very interesting. We look forward to when their new wing highlighting other military engagements is open this summer.
7 years ago (11-12-2017)

Kids loved it and I got to see pictures of my old unit never thought I'd be apart of history
7 years ago (06-02-2018)

To access base without a sponsor you need a Driver's license, current vehicle registration and current insurance. If you are wanted by the law or on a terrorist watch list expect a significant delay. Go to the main gate visitor center and select "Lewis Museum" they will collect your documents and issue a visitor's pass that will allow you access to North Fort. If you need directions ask at the visitor center it's easy to find.
7 years ago (10-11-2017)

From the freeway the museum looks like a fine establishment full of historical intrigue, but myself and my boys never got a chance to enter the building, or base. In order to enter the museum you need to read through the museum's website carefully. First and foremost you should consider NOT going if you don't have military ID. If you decide to go you'll need to collect some paper work. You need your Vehicle registration (not the one from 2012 that you forgot to update), proof of insurance ( I get it, I just haven't been in an accident in 25 years or gotten a speeding ticket in 13 years so I've let some vehicle paperwork lapse). Go to the main gate and enter the visitors center. Don't listen to the sign that says stay in the right lane. The right lane will take you to the guard post main entrance where they'll perform a military like cadence to get you turned around. This includes calling senior guard gate personnel in order to initiate a u turn. Your license is collected, orders are issued, (kids start asking why daddy's in trouble), then the move to turn around where major general stops all traffic for this silly civilian to safely go back from whence they came. The guard then hands back my Washington State drivers license which according to the Real ID Act isn't considered ID to the Federal Government so the threat of me running doesn't seem all that justified. See their website. Just saying! Next step is to enter the visitors center. The building is hidden and in the dark between some evergreens. But never the less its there. If you come off I5 you need to take a right hand turn into the visitor center parking lot, or stay in the right lane to experience military efficiency. The visitors center isn't really a visitors center as it is a civilian processing plant, kinda like the dept of licensing, only more depressing. Push the ticket machine on the left and proceed to the booth with your number listed above the booth. The nice lady asks for all the paper work you probably didn't think you need unless your in an accident or being issued a ticket. I'm not saying I shouldn't need proof of insurance or vehicle registration or a valid license. I'm not saying we shouldn't need to get permission to enter a military base, or that Washington State licenes's aren't considered ID. I'm just saying that its only a museum. It might have been fun.
7 years ago (22-10-2017)