“On February 2021, the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail was launched to raise public awareness of Georgia’s rich World War II history and the sites dedicated to preserve that history. Trail Partners are dedicated to keep Georgia’s World War II stories, locations, and experiences compelling and relevant.”

In order to visit the sites pertinent to WWII in Thomaston and Upson County please follow this link: https://georgia-humanities.opentour.site/georgia-wwii-heritage-trail-in-thomaston-georgia/upson-historical-society

The Upson Historical Society and the Upson Thomaston Archives are proud to be on the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail, joining 10 other proud museums across our state.

VISIT ALL 11 SITES

Take flight in a World War II airplane, build a Liberty ship, explore a pilot training base, march in the boots of the Band of Brothers, see what the home font looked like in Georgia and learn personal stories of courage, character and patriotism. Suggested stops in Georgia make it easy to experience two or three locations over a weekend.

CURRAHEE MILITARY MUSEUM Toccoa

COMMEMORATIVE Airbase Georgia Peachtree City

GEORGIA AVIATION HALL OF FAME Warner Robins

The Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame promotes and encourages the growth and public support of aviation within the state of Georgia by honoring aviation leaders, living and dead, whose extraordinary achievements or services have made outstanding and lasting contributions to aviation, perpetuating the memory of such persons and recording their contributions and achievements through suitable memorials.

MUSEUM OF AVIATION Warner Robins

The “Scott Hangar” named after Gen. Robert Scott, author of God is My Co-Pilot, contains numerous World War II aircraft and displays about the conflict. This hangar also includes exhibits about the Tuskegee Airmen and the 507th Airborne Division. The Museum is also restoring a B-17 in exhibit space so that visitors can see the process.

NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM Columbus

Voted the Best Free Museum in America by readers of USA Today, the National Infantry Museum honors soldiers from 1775 to today. Their stories of service and sacrifice are told through priceless artifacts, state-of-the-art exhibits, interactive galleries and memorials to the Vietnam War and the Global War on Terrorism. The Last 100 Yards ramp – the museum’s signature attraction – recreates the Rangers’ scaling of Pointe du Hoc on Omaha Beach and the parachute drop on Corregidor during World War II. The museum’s largest gallery chronicles our nation’s war on fascism. And outside, an authentically recreated World War II Company Street takes visitors back to the 1940s.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE Pooler

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force preserves and presents the stories of courage, duty and sacrifice displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force in World War II.  Through exhibitions and education programs, learn how the service of young Americans, many of whom had never been in an airplane, paved the way for D-Day and the liberation of western Europe.

NATIONAL PRISONER OF WAR MUSEUM Andersonville

The National Prisoner of War Museum preserves and shares the stories and experiences of all American POWs, from the Revolutionary War to today. It includes displays, artifacts, oral history interviews, and other information about POWs of World War II.

ST MARYS SUBMARINE MUSEUM St. Marys

WORLD WAR II FLIGHT TRAINING MUSEUM Douglas

The 63rd Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment (Primary) was originally a part of South Georgia College’s pilot training program. From 1941-1944, somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 cadets were enrolled. Here the cadets mastered basic flying maneuvers and learned to fly. The museum houses exhibits on the 63rd’s training, aircraft, and equipment.

WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT MUSEUM St. Simons Island

The Home Front Museum tells the inspiring story of Coastal Georgia’s extraordinary contributions to winning World War II. Explore the community’s history of Liberty ship construction, airship patrols, advanced radar training, and home front defense through immersive galleries and family-friendly inter-actives.