The museum's origins date to an October 1, 1903 letter from U.S. Army Chief of Ordnance Major General William Crozier who notified the Rock Island Arsenal commander that fifteen boxes of ordnance materiel would shortly arrive for the purpose of preserving it in a Military Museum to be established at the Rock Island Arsenal.

[2] The boxes included an array of weapons and accouterments from foreign countries that had been forwarded to the Office of the Chief of Ordnance for study.

The museum’s focus remained on small arms and ordnance; however, aspects of Rock Island Arsenal history were included in the exhibits for the first time.

The phrase “People, Processes, and Products” was coined to explain the important themes in the history of Rock Island Arsenal.

Visitors will discover the impact that Rock Island Arsenal has had on National Defense and the contributions of the Quad Cities to the U.S. Military.