Most vehicles have been acquired within a 150-mile radius of Lexington. The nucleus of the HMMV collection comes from the nation's heartland, Nebraska. Many pieces were used by farmers in the 1940's and early 1950's, when tractors were still in short supply. As the old standbys were retired they were parked in windbreaks, left to rust away. Heartland has given new life to these proud machines.

With more than 60 restored vehicles of all types, the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles has developed a life of its own. What began as a way to honor Veterans has become a vision to permit all Americans to learn more about the weapons of war in the hope they will never again have to be used.

An extensive library for reference in achieving accurate, authentic restorations has been compiled. Emphasis is placed on selecting correct paint schemes, preserving original insignia and assembling proper accessories.

This is a Living Museum, with some of the vehicles ready to roll at a moment's notice. The vehicles are available to educational groups and Veterans across the region as tangible reminders of their service and sacrifice.

Whatever your memory, story or curiosity, the Heartland Museum is striving to restore a part of the past for you and future generations, veteran and civilian alike. Your contributions and assistance are vital to the further growth and development of the organization.

In 1986, armed only with a determination to preserve historic military vehicles, four Lexington men formed the Heartland Museum. Today the dozens of fully restored vehicles are dedicated in honor and memory of those who served.

The four friends began taking their restored vehicles to Veterans's Day celebrations and letting veterans ride in the vehicles, even drive them if they wished. The response was so gratifying to the quartet that they continued to comb Central Nebraska for more historic equipment.

The original vision has always remained the same: Develop a place to honor America's Veterans of the battle front and the home front. The Museum offers veterans a place to remember, where they can touch and smell and sit in the very vehicles which, in some cases, may have saved their lives.

In 1991 the need for a permanent site, where more people could see this impressive assemblage of vehicles and learn from them, became evident. The Heartland Museum's goal is two-fold: To establish a museum to house these historical and operational vehicles; and to build a Visitor Center and Library. The first portion of the building has been completed. Land for the facility has already been obtained at the Lexington Interstate 80 Interchange.

Not only are there restored jeeps, trucks, ambulances, and half-tracks, but singular vehicles, like the Downed Airman Retriever, one of a handful existing in the entire world. Various pieces have been donated by farmers and veterans, each remembered by a "pet name" affixed to the vehicle.

Contacts with other Veterans' groups have been beneficial. Confederate Air Force Members restored the Museum's 1942 twin-engine Beechcraft C-45 and now fly it on Museum "Missions." They also bring their own vintage planes to Heartland events.

DIRECTORS
Terry Lauby
Chris Larsen
Dave Smith
Al Martin
Dale Nielsen
Bruce Carlson
Dick Schmidt
Duane Phillippi

As a Nebraska non-profit corporation, the Museum is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historical military equipment of all types. The Museum is recognized as tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) Corporation: Tax exempt number 36-3630011. Donations and bequests are welcomed. The directors work with all groups to bring the vehicles to life.