Library of Military History

The museum’s extensive collection of books and personal histories offers an incredible trove of research material, detailing the events, people and equipment that framed, fostered, challenged and protected the vision of America to become the leading example of free people standing up for freedom in the world. Topics begin with the earliest days of our country’s fight for its own freedom and extend through our nation’s history of wars at home and abroad to preserve liberty and opportunity. Topics include:

Extensive and detailed history of the wars

Biographies of great leaders and heroic and ordinary GI’s.

Listings of Middletown and Connecticut residents who served.

Personal letters, photographs, and service records.

Weapons, Aircraft, Naval Vessels.

Uniforms, unit patches and service ribbons.

Videos (historical documentaries, movies, etc.)

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Special Visitor to the Museum – 98-year-old World War II Veteran of “D Day” (May 11, 2023)

Angelo Bartolotta, Middletown veteran, was in the second wave going into the beach on “D-Day”, June 6, 1944. He is pointing at a displayed photo of himself in the front amidst his fellow veterans from his unit at the 110th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion reunion.

Some of the books in our collections that we highly recommend:

Max Corvo’s WWII experiences (detailed in his book “Max Corvo OSS Italy 1942-1945”) are often featured in our museum tours. Max was a Middletown kid who immigrated from Sicily at the young age of 9, following his father who fled Sicily 6 years earlier to escape the Fascists who wanted to execute him. When WWII broke out, Max knew his calling at age 22 was to join the military and go back to free Sicily. His detailed plans for partisan warfare which he had written out earned him that opportunity and the appointment as Chief of Operations to “lead the planning, recruiting and operations for American OSS, Secret Intelligence in Italy”, operations conducted in advance of the allied forces military action in Italy and Sicily. A movie has recently been released featuring Max’s story. It earned 13 international movie industry awards in its early showings. Visit the museum to learn about Max and his other Middletown Sicilian recruits who served in this pivotal role during WWII.

Artifacts on Display  

The Greater Middletown Military Museum has an impressive display of uniforms and artifacts donated by local veterans and their families, including weapons, gear, survival equipment, war booty, local manufacturer’s contributions to the war, planes and ship models, documents, instruments, communication tools and methods, maps, and so much more.

If you would like to talk with us about a possible donation, contact gmvmm-info@comcast.net to schedule an appointment.

Photos of part of our collection:

WWI Uniform of Pvt Wiliam M. Braren – East Hampton CT

Visit the museum to learn about the many impressive roles Middletown area residents have played over America’s military history.

SIMEON NORTH (b. 1765-d.1852) First official weapons manufacturer of the United States of America had his manufacturing operation in Middletown on the Coginchaug River. In honor of North’s pivotal role, the profile of North’s musket is still featured on the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (earned by infantry who have served in active combat) and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge (earned by infantry who qualified through intensive testing and demonstration of firearm marksmanship). Also, North’s pistols are still honored today on the military police badges. One of Simeon North’s muskets is on display in the museum.

“He received contracts for making firearms from every President from Washington down” by one account, but a correction was edited to indicate it was actually from President John Adams on through his lifetime (as related by author S.N.D. North in his book “Simeon North, First Official Pistol Maker of the United States”). All of his arms manufactured for the U.S.A. were stamped with S. North. His inventive process for manufacturing of weapons parts which were interchangeable is still acknowledged as a trail blazing concept in manufacturing of weapons.

One special project completed by North was a matching set of dueling pistols commissioned by the State of Connecticut as a presentation gift to Commodore Hull of the U.S.S. Constitution. That pistol set along with a matching “elegant sword” (manufactured by Nathan Starr, a compatriot Middletown manufacturer) were “mounted with gold and suitable inscriptions, and manufactured in the state” according to the contract which were completed in 1820. The pistol set is now honored by the National Rifleman’s Association as a “National Treasure”, only the 5th time such honorarium has been granted by the NRA.

Visit the museum to see these and learn about so many other milestones from Middletown’s rich military history.