WC Wisconsin News

The War Room Museum in central Wisconsin is slated to open to the public May 1.

Billed as “a smaller, more intimate view of war history,” visitors will have no shortage of mementos to sort through, according to a report by WEAU 13 News.

“It’s not just guns and helmets,” War Room Museum owner Tyler Smazal told WEAU 13. “I’ve always liked old stuff; I’ve always enjoyed history.”

Smazal bought the museum from a man in Portage County, Wisconsin, and moved it to Marshfield, according to the report. While the former museum has a history that includes being visited by people from 16 countries, Smazal said he plans to lead tours to educate even more people about history.

He said he often adds to the museum’s collection by saving families’ treasures from the trash, WEAU 13 reported. He considers it an honor to receive items from families and prides himself on being able to continue their stories, so its history doesn’t die with the veteran.

People call or stop in almost every day to donate something to the collection, Smazal said.

“There is a death in the family, they have the stuff, they don’t really know what it is (or) their importance,” Smazal told WEAU 13. “They either throw it away, give it away, or sell it for pennies when it could be here.”

Veterans who visit the museum often share their experiences, Smazal said.

“There’s always a stigma that veterans don’t talk, but we find when they get into this situation or atmosphere they usually start opening up and talking about their story," he said.

Smazal said he believes it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the history of veterans alive.

“That was part of what was important to me,” he said. “I wanted to get the younger generation to learn and understand this."

Smazal said many schools are planning field trips to the museum and families are also excited to visit, though perhaps none of them are quite as passionate about the museum as he is.

“We all think of what we are doing with our life, and I guess I found mine,” he said.