Military museum curator Mark Witham poses with the Abbot, a British sell-propelled gun that visitors to Military Heritage Collection of North Texas can learn how to drive.

Visitors to the Military Heritage Collection of North Texas will come away pleasantly surprised and planning their next visit when they see the scope of artifacts displayed in four nondescript buildings, or if they take the opportunity to drive an armored vehicle.

The oldest artifact dates back to 1796 and the U.S.S. Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” and continues through today.

Museum curator Mark Witham reported that the museum has more than 2,800 pieces of art, more than 1,200 uniforms, about 20 military vehicles and hundreds of small arms.

A unique aspect of the museum is that guests often get the opportunity to fire some of the weapons and can drive an armored vehicle such as a the Abbot, a British self-propelled gun on tracks, equipped with a 105-millimeter cannon.

By Joe Reavis • Staff Writer • [email protected]

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