Russell Military Museum

The Russell Military Museum is a military museum located in Zion, Illinois.

Russell Military Museum
Russell Military Museum is located in Illinois
Russell Military Museum
Location within Illinois
Former name
Kenosha Military Museum
Established1986 (1986)
LocationZion, Illinois
Coordinates42.492°N 87.951°W / 42.492; -87.951
TypeMilitary museum
FounderMark Sonday
Websitewww.russellmilitarymuseum.com

History

Background

Mark Sonday began collecting surplus military equipment as a child at Navy Pier in Chicago. In 1980, he purchased 11 former American tanks from Israel. He also joined a group of collectors which provided for movies such as First Blood, Courage Under Fire and Saving Private Ryan.[1][2]

Establishment in Pleasant Prairie

The Kenosha Military Museum was founded by Sonday in 1986 and opened in 1989 in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.[3][4] However, ten years after its establishment, the museum was being criticized for the poor condition of its collection – being compared to a junk yard. It announced plans for a new building and requested a corresponding zoning change for the property.[1] The change failed to pass a vote, due to the petitions of the adjacent property owners. The museum then filed a lawsuit against the county.[5] In 2002, the county used eminent domain to reclaim the land on which it sat.[6]

Move to Zion

A settlement was reached in 2006, in which the museum received a $3.9 million payment, but was forced to vacate the property. It moved across the state line to a new site with a 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2) building in Zion, Illinois where it became the Russell Military Museum.[7]

Collection

Aircraft

Bell AH-1 Cobra

Ground vehicles

M4 Sherman
Cadillac Peacekeeper

See also

References

  1. Verstraete, Christine A. (28 April 1996). "A Farewell to Arms?". Chicago Tribune. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  2. Golub, Rob (15 April 2006). "The Man with the Munitions: Mark Sonday Operates Kenosha Military Museum". The Reporter. p. A6. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  3. Deffenbaugh, Carl (28 May 2018). "'See it with your own eyes:' Military museum offers everything from cannonballs to F-15 fighter jets". FOX 6 Milwaukee. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  4. Passino, Brian (24 May 2016). "Snapshot: Military museum has the hardware". Kenosha News. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  5. Jensen, Arlene (20 February 1998). "Sonday's Lawsuit Not Dismissed". Kenosha News. p. D1. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  6. Dobberstein, John (3 October 2007). "Military Museum Rises After Fight". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  7. Gibbard, Dan (22 August 2006). "Idled War Gear Goes on the March Again". Chicago Tribune. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  8. "Russell Military Museum". Exhibits. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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