The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New York's Hudson River Valley at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site opened in 2006. The 7,500 square foot facility shares the stories of America's combat wounded veterans and those who never returned, all recipients of the Purple Heart.

The mission of the Hall of Honor is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across generations in an attempt to ensure that all recipients are represented. Their stories are preserved and shared through a series of exhibits, live and videotaped interviews with veterans themselves, and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer program detailing the stories of each individual.

The Hall of Honor is the first in the nation to recognize the more than 1.7 million Americans wounded or killed in action while serving in the United States Military, and is the nation's sole repository dedicated to the preservation of these stories of sacrifice.

The State of New York committed over $4 million toward the planning, design and development of the Hall of Honor. The project has also enjoyed the generous support of veterans and their families, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Congress, and the local community.

The Hall of Honor serves all Americans and inspires people around the world to learn more about these men and women and to give thanks to those who gave so much to keep the dream of freedom, liberty, and equality alive for all.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor overlooks the site of the camp (cantonment) of the Continental Army for 1782 - 1783, the final winter of the Revolutionary War. In 1782, George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, the inspiration for today's Purple Heart, and the following year officers met at the Cantonment to determine candidates for the award. In 1932, some of the nation's very first Purple Hearts were presented to veterans of World War I on these same grounds.