National Scouting Museum

The National Scouting Museum shares the rich history of the Boy Scouts of America with visitors, including the tens of thousands of campers, volunteers, and alumni that visit Philmont each year. The Museum is home to the Seton Memorial Library with reading and research rooms, a gift shop with jewelry, books, and mementos, two large exhibit halls, and an 88-person conference room.

For decades, the National Scouting Museum has played an important role in preserving and telling the rich story of the Boy Scouts of America and the positive impact Scouting continues to have on youth and families. The museum is committed to preserving the rich, 110-plus-year history of the Scouting movement by collecting, organizing, preserving, and displaying some of Scouting’s greatest treasures, including more than 600,000 artifacts.

This collection not only documents Scouting’s unique influence on American culture but also tells the story of a movement that has positively affected the lives of more than 110 million young people. The museum’s move to Philmont–where more than 30,000 people visit annually – exposes even more people to Scouting’s story and introduces unique opportunities to showcase parts of the collection throughout the country. The National Scouting Museum’s Philmont home is the primary place to see Scouting memorabilia, but the BSA’s expansive collection of Scouting collectibles will be spread far and wide. Additionally, we are working hard to make many parts of the collection and archives digitally accessible. It allows the BSA to establish displays and exhibits at the three other national high adventure bases: the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, the Florida Sea Base, and the Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases in Minnesota and Canada, as well as the possibility for some items to be loaned to local councils for display in their facilities. All of this means more Scouts get a glimpse into the BSA’s powerful past.

Camping gear, uniforms, service projects, and more tell the story of Scouting in Exhibit Hall A. The history of Philmont Scout Ranch and the Great Southwest fill Exhibit Hall B. Study the ranch’s trails and camps on an over-sized, 3-D, topographical map, learn more about an 1850s mud wagon, view southwestern pottery, and learn about the artwork of Ernest Thompson Seton.

Exhibitions and events

Norman Rockwell Art Gallery

Permanent exhibition

The museum boasts the largest collection of Norman Rockwell Scout paintings under one roof. The collection includes the first Scout painting he created in 1918 as an illustrator for Boys’...

Interactive exhibits

Permanent exhibition

Interactive exhibits for old and young!  Enjoy our laser shooting gallery; race cars on the 8-lane pinewood derby track; try your hand at the rope-tying stations; put on a lighted helmet...

Educational programs

Merit Badge classes and Webelo Workshops

Workshop

The 2nd Monday of each month, the museum posts the Merit Badge classes and Webelo Workshops that will be offered for the next few months.  Please go to the website for the most current listings...

Collections

Merit badges

1 object

Articles

29. 05. 2015

National Scouting Museum works to preserve Boy Scouts’ documented past

National Scouting Museum

Boy Scouts of America has seen a lot of changes within its organization throughout its 100-year history. It’s up to one group of people at the National...