Museum of the Bible will honor the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans and all active-duty military personnel by offering these heroes and their families free admission from Monday, November 11, through Sunday, November 17. When you visit, make sure to check out these artifacts on display related to the military and to veterans.

Pvt. George Raymond Rome's Portrait and Personal New Testament

Pvt. Rome was an African American infantryman who fought for the Union as a member of the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.

Figure 1: Pvt. George Raymond Rome's portrait. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Figure 2: Pvt. George Raymond Rome’s personal New Testament. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Aitken New Testament and Aitken Bible

Robert Aitken, a Scottish immigrant to Philadelphia, printed his New Testament in 1777, breaking Britain’s monopoly on printing Bibles. He later published the entire Bible in 1782, which was nicknamed, “the Bible of the Revolution.”

Figure 3: The Aitken New Testament. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Figure 4: The Aitken Bible. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Each of these artifacts is currently on display in our Bible in America gallery in the Impact of the Bible exhibit (Floor 2). You can also see them on this virtual tour of the Impact of the Bible exhibit.

The museum also has several military Bibles that are viewable online:

Admiral David Farragut’s Bible

Adm. Farragut was an officer in the United States Navy who served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). During the Civil War, he fought for the Union and became the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the Navy. He coined the phrase “full speed ahead” during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.

Figure 5: Admiral David Farragut’s Bible. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Rear Adm. Peirce Crosby’s Bible

Rear Adm. Crosby’s Bible was given to him by his grandmother when he joined the United States Navy in 1838. He served in the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) and fought for the Union during the Civil War. Later, he served as assistant secretary of state.

Figure 6: Rear Adm. Peirce Crosby’s Bible. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved

Figure 7: Rear Adm. Peirce Crosby’s Bible with a written note inside the front cover. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

The Soldier’s Pocket Bible

This Bible is a facsimile of one issued to Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers during the English Civil War; it was reissued to American soldiers during World War I. Theodore Roosevelt added a note to some copies: “This is worth reading, comrade and friend.”

Figure 8: Cover of the Soldier’s Pocket Bible. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Figure 9: Inside cover of Bible. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Gospel of John, Army and Navy Edition

In 1917, the American Bible Society ran a campaign to give a copy of the Gospel of John to every soldier or sailor who desired one. Approximately 6 million copies were printed over the course of America’s involvement in World War I.

Figure 10: Front cover of the Gospel of John. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Figure 11: Book open to John 1 and 2. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) American Navy Edition New Testament

The YMCA printed a version of the New Testament for members of the United States Navy during World War I to encourage and strengthen those serving.

Figure 12: Front cover of the YMCA American Navy Edition New Testament. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Figure 13: Inside cover of the Bible with a note from former President Woodrow Wilson. Image © Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. 

Learn more about free admission for active-duty service members and veterans here.

Published October 31, 2024