Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center

The story of Fort Des Moines represents a vital chapter in the struggle for racial and gender equality in the United States Army. Fort Des Moines was the site of the U.S. Army's first officer class for African-American men, graduating 639 men as commissioned officers to serve in World War I.  Likewise, Fort Des Moines was the site of the first training school for female commissioned officers, who served our country bravely in World War II.

The mission of the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center will preserve, promote, and perpetuate the sacrifice and service of the Black Officers of World War I, the Women's Army Corp (WAC) of World War II,and all others whose lives have been connected to Fort Des Moines. The Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center is dedicated to telling the story of these revolutionary men and women, but needs your help.

The museum is seeking $150,000 to keep the museum operating. Our historic building is need of critical repairs to the HVAC system. Regulating the temperature and humidity of the building is vital to preserving irreplaceable artifacts like uniforms, photographs, documents, archives, and the historic building itself. Fort Des Moines is one of only two National Historic Landmarks in Des Moines, Iowa, and preserving the building and collection it contains is of the utmost importance. In addition, funds will be used to maintain the grounds, pay for operating expenses, and engage the community in innovative programming to share the important story of the men and women who trained at the Fort.

Please help us keep this crucial piece of Des Moines, Iowa, and American history alive, so that we can continue to share the stories of these ground-breaking men and women.

Visit the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fortDSMmuseum/