National Infantry Museum

Since 1959, the National Infantry Museum (NIM) has honored, preserved and interpreted for the public the heritage of those who have served in the Infantry. Together with the City of Columbus, the National Infantry Association and Foundation embarked on a plan to build a new museum just outside the gates of Fort Benning that will more effectively preserve the collection and tell the story of the Infantry in an engaging way.

Lord Cultural Resources was commissioned to develop a Master Plan for the relocation of this Army Museum System institution, including consultation with the Center of Military History, which owns the NIM collection. The Master Plan addressed all aspects of the proposed new museum, ranging from advice on collection management that reinforced CMH recommendations, to an exciting Concept for the exhibitions and shows that could bring the story of the Infantry to life. It includes an incisive market analysis and projections of attendance, revenues and expenses.

The new National Infantry Museum opened in June 2009. In 2010, the Museum won the THEA Award of the Themed Entertainment Association for Outstanding Achievement in the creation of extraordinary visitor experiences. The Museum’s exhibits realized the Interpretative Plan that Lord Cultural Resources had developed with them as part of our Master Planning process. 

“Speaking on behalf of all of us at the National Infantry Foundation, the Association, and the Director and staff of the museum at Fort Benning, I wish to thank you for the professional manner in which this project has been handled and for the thorough planning effort and presentation of all documents to guide us in the development of a new museum for the Infantry. It has been a pleasure working with you personally and with all your staff and we look forward to a continuing relationship as our plans come together.”

Ben F. Williams, Executive Director, National Infantry Foundation