Summer Hours
Open 12 noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Closed August 17-27 for staff training.
Summer Hours
Open 12 noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Closed August 17-27 for staff training.
Located on the campus of Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum features an extensive collection of objects and artifacts that tell the stories of U.S. military chaplains in the camp, on the battlefield, and among prisoners of war. Visitors will learn how chaplains from diverse backgrounds have used a variety of means and methods to carry out their ministry during times of war.
Founded in 2005 as a private organization, the Chaplains Museum is now part of the History Department at Liberty University. Our mission is to showcase the service of U.S. Military Chaplains throughout American history through historical research and the collection and preservation of related artifacts.
The museum also functions as a student laboratory for research, exhibit design, collections care, and special projects.
The Chaplains Museum:
Support the Chaplain’s Museum through an online donation.
All donated funds will go toward acquiring, caring for, and interpreting items related to the service of U.S. military Chaplains and the religious lives of servicemembers as well as events and activities that further the mission of the Museum.
As part of the History Department at Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum has become an active learning laboratory for students.
Students in the Chaplains Museum conduct research on the history of chaplains and objects in our collection. Learn along with them by reading our posts below and following us on Instagram.
What is Purple Heart Day and what does it have to do with U.S. military chaplains?
In 2011, Army chaplain Michael Frese prepared for an ordinary day of work while deployed in Afghanistan but, as he prepared to hold a meeting, disaster struck. An explosion hit the tent, and he sustained a heavy blow. When Chaplain Frese regained consciousness, he rushed to the clearing station to “[comfort] and [pray] with [the wounded] in the aid station before they were medevacked.” Before the attack was over, the chapel tent was hit and many more were wounded. Frese had suffered injuries to head, as well as hearing, memory, and vision loss.
In February 2014, Chaplain Frese was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in Afghanistan. The blow that “should have killed [him]” became a defining point in his ministry and he continued to encourage service members believing that “nothing can prepare you better for physical and mental trauma than a strong faith.”
Today, August 7th, is a day to recognize and honor those who were wounded or killed while serving the U.S. Military. The Purple Heart was officially revived in 1932 by General Douglas MacArthur, based on George Washington’s Badge of Military Merit from 1782, and continues to be awarded at present. Stop by the museum to learn more about the sacrificial service of chaplains!
Image 1: Image 1: Chaplain Michael Frese receives the Purple Heart, given by Brigadier General John McGoff. Image courtesy of the LCMS Reporter.
To read more about Chaplain Frese, visit reporter.lcms.org/2014/chaplain-awarded-purple-heart/.
Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.
#chaplains #chaplainsmuseum #militarychaplains #purpleheart #purpleheartday #libertyuniversity
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As the 2nd Marine Division waded towards the shores of Guadalcanal in August 1942, they were bombarded by oppressive humidity, dense forests, and fierce Japanese resistance. Machine gun fire whirred around them and the ground shook below their feet, stirring up fear and the harsh reality of hopelessness. While the division trudged forward in alarm, bearing their weapons, a chaplain went with them, reinforcing principles of faith and courage.
Chaplain W. Wyeth Willard served as a chaplain to the 2nd Marine Division during World War II, seeing action at the battles of Guadalcanal and Tarawa. Following his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the most prestigious award in the Navy and was “credited with serving more consecutive days under constant enemy fire than any chaplain in the history of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.” Throughout Chaplain Willard’s service, he remained grateful that “the good Lord could use [him] in this service,” writing that “He placed me here to preach the gospel.”
In January of 1944, Chaplain Willard published “The Leathernecks Come Through,” as a testament to his experience at Guadalcanal and Tarawa. The publication of his book brought him national prominence, and he was given a position as the Director of Evangelism at Wheaton College shortly after. Until his death in November of 1999, he remained dedicated to the ministry, even serving as a chaplain to the U.S. Naval Reserves for twenty years.
Stay tuned to hear more about Chaplain Willard and a new artifact that will be joining the collection soon!
Image 1: Chaplain W. Wyeth Willard.
Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.
#chaplainsmuseum #chaplains #militarychaplains #wwii #guadalcanal #libertyuniversity
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Today, July 29, is the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps. To celebrate the history of our nation and the inspiring chaplains who still contribute to the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the Armed Forces, we remember the Revolutionary War pastor, Jonas Clark.
In 1775, Clark became the pastor of Lexington, Massachusetts. He undoubtedly expected to live in comfort while serving the sleepy town on a salary of 80 pounds a year. But twenty years later, when the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired, Clark had the dubious pleasure of witnessing the first armed conflict of the American Revolution.
Clark was no clueless bystander. For years, his grave preaching had been “mingled with…the doctrine of salvation in Christ and the right to resist tyrannical rule.” On April 19, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren had alerted the people of Lexington that the British were on their way. The patriots sent John Hancock (of signatory fame) and the resident Samuel Adams (leader of the Sons of Liberty) to Clark’s house. The prominent Patriots asked Clark if he thought the militia of Lexington were ready to fight the British. Clark answered in the affirmative, “for he had trained them in the scriptural principles of liberty.”
While not everyone agreed with Clark’s theology, his unwavering belief that American freedom meant “the liberty of the world” caused him to be an invaluable source of strength during the American Revolution. Stay tuned for updates on a new exhibit, which will highlight the sacrifice of American chaplains in the Revolutionary War.
Image 1: The Hancock-Clark house, where John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Chaplain Jonas Clark were guarded by the American patriots during the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The house is a reminder of the chaplaincy’s vital importance in American History.
Image 2: A portrait of Pastor Jonas Clark.
Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.
#chaplains #militarychaplain #chaplainsmuseum #250thanniversary
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Things are always changing at the Chaplains Museum! Drop by to see recent additions to the museum collection and to hear the history behind them.
Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio.
#chaplainsmuseum #militarychaplains #chaplain #libertyuniversity
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Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Summer Hours (June, July, August)
Monday, Thursday, Friday 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The museum is located in the Jerry Falwell Library on Liberty University’s Campus. Learn more about our location and parking.
Historically, U.S. military chaplains have performed many roles. They have preached, acted as personal counselors, cared for the sick and dying, handled military postal services, administered literacy programs, and in some cases even joined in battle. View the following Chaplains Museum exhibits and research sources and explore our online collections catalog.
Take the accessible-friendly route to the Chaplains Museum.
The Chaplains Museum can be found on the terrace level of the Jerry Falwell Library. The Library’s main exterior entrance is located at the southern end of the Academic Lawn.
Visitor parking passes are required daily excluding weekends. For further assistance or questions about the parking policy, see LUPD’s visitor parking information.
For directions to campus, shuttle information, and more, explore the university’s visitor’s guide.
Chaplains Museum
Liberty University Department of History
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Follow us on Instagram where we regularly share highlights from chaplaincy history.