From the Chief of Infantry - National Infantry Association

This rendering, by artists at Christopher Chadbourne and Associates, depicts “The
Last 100 Yards,” which will begin the visitor's experience at the new National
Infantry Museum.
The Last 100 Yards
By Cyndy Cerbin
No matter how many bombs are dropped, no matter how much
ordnance is fired, it will always be the grunt on the ground that takes
the last 100 yards. Infantrymen already know this. The new National
Infantry Museum wants everyone to know it.
The “Last 100 Yards” is the driving theme behind exhibit designer
Christopher Chadbourne and Associates’ plans for the new museum,
which is being built on a 200-acre site that connects Fort Benning and
Columbus, Ga. The Boston-based firm recently unveiled its master
plan to National Infantry Foundation officials. It includes an opening
experience that will lead the museum visitor along a 100-yard path
tracing the Infantry’s major battles from the past 229 years of
American history.
Through multi-dimensional environments, huge scale projections,
immersive sound, theatrical lighting and a stirring musical score,
visitors will be transported to the front lines. They will experience war
as the Infantry does, face-to-face with the enemy.
The “Last 100 Yards” is 30 feet wide and gradually ascends through
the middle of the museum’s spacious central gallery. At its end, visitors
are positioned to begin their interactive journey through the six era
galleries and three thematic galleries that will line the central gallery.
The era galleries depict defined periods of U.S. History, beginning with
events leading up to the Revolutionary War until now, the United States
being the sole super-power.
The Fort Benning gallery, which is first, will explore the
transformational experience of basic training. Visitors, accompanied by
the commanding voice of a drill sergeant, will learn what it takes to
turn an unskilled, undisciplined teenager into a brave and dedicated
Infantry soldier.
As guests conclude their visit, they will enter the Infantry Theater,
where a specially produced film will tie together the themes of the
museum and leave visitors with both a new understanding of the
MUSEUM UPDATE
Infantry and pride in the soldiers who protect
their freedoms.
The museum also will include unique, stateof-the-art
simulator experiences, a large screen
digital theater, a themed café and a gift shop
offering top quality items of particular interest to
Infantrymen, their families and history buffs.
“I’m amazed at how this exhibit plan mirrors
just what we asked for, how the designers were
able to take our abstract messages and make
them come alive,” commented National Infantry
Foundation Director Ben Williams. “I’m
absolutely convinced we selected the right team
for the job.”
Site Work Update
As the exhibit designers continue to refine their
master plan, work is progressing on the site of
the new museum.
The first action, now underway, is the relocation of seven World
War II-era buildings to a clearing in the woods. The buildings include
two barracks, a day room, supply room, chapel, and the headquarters
and sleeping quarters once used by GEN George Patton before his
deployment to South Africa. The buildings were saved by then Fort
Benning Commander MG Jerry White when the Army tore down all the
World War II wood in the mid-’90s. They will be restored to recreate a
company street typical of the years when some 16 million Americans
signed up to join the war effort.
Next on the construction checklist will be the seven-acre parade
field and the Memorial Walk of Honor. Construction on the museum
building will begin as additional funds become available.
Please visit www.nationalinfantryfoundation.com to learn more about the
museum project. Donations may be securely made online, or you may write
the National Infantry Foundation at P.O. Box 2823, Columbus, GA 31901 or
call (706) 653-9234.
Crews prepare the site for the relocation
of seven historic buildings, which will
recreate a typical company street during
World War II.
www.infantryassn.com 15