The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is the Army's second oldest museum. It first opened to the public on July 4, 1905. The primary mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island. By focusing on "People, Processes, and Products," the exhibits tell the story of the people involved in Arsenal Island's history, the manufacturing processes used at Rock Island Arsenal, and the military equipment that was produced at Rock Island Arsenal.
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is nationally recognized for its large and impressive small arms collection. Over twelve hundred U.S., foreign, civilian, and military small arms are on permanent display.