This Gothic Revival style building was the State Arsenal from the 1850s until the early 1970s when the Boone National Guard Center opened in Frankfort. During the Civil War, it served as a munitions factory where Frankfort women made ammunition for troops from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The Kentucky Historical Society and the Department of Military Affairs created the Kentucky Military History Museum here in 1973.
Revisit the commonwealth’s military history in this fortress-like building that overlooks downtown Frankfort. Built in 1850, the Old State Arsenal is now home to the Kentucky Military History Museum and is jointly operated by the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Department for Military Affairs. Hours are seasonal and subject to change. All Kentucky Military History Museum tours begin at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.
