Oneonta Veterans Museum
Where Their Stories Still Speak
A Museum Born From Memory — Not Blueprints
Tucked away on the second floor of the Oneonta American Legion Post 259 at 279 Chestnut Street is a place where history doesn’t sit quietly behind glass.
It speaks. It remembers. And for many who walk through its doors, it brings back names, faces, and stories long held close to the heart.
The Oneonta Veterans Museum opened on January 7, 2023, but its roots stretch back much further — into attics, basements, photo albums, and family memories. What began with a few carefully built military models has grown into a deeply personal tribute to veterans past and present, created not by professionals but by people who lived the service, loved those who served, and refused to let their stories fade.
The Three Musketeers Behind the Mission
At the center of it all are three individuals who affectionately call themselves “the Three Musketeers.”
Barry Townsend, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer (E7) with 21 years of service, serves as the museum’s curator. The son of a Navy Chief himself, Barry initially wasn’t looking to create a museum at all. He simply needed a place to display the military models he had built as a hobby. When fellow Legion member Wayne Gregory suggested using an unused upstairs room — provided it was cleaned out — something unexpected happened.
As boxes were opened and forgotten items resurfaced, it became clear they were sitting on a gold mine of local military history.
Retired Chaplain George “Supersix” Sluti, who served with the First Engineer Battalion during Vietnam from 1969–1970, quickly joined the effort. A self-described jack-of-all-trades, George became the hands behind the transformation — fixing, building, organizing, and doing whatever needed to be done. Having carried the weight of responsibility for men in combat, George understands deeply what each name and artifact represents.
AL Auxiliary and AL Rider member Sharon Parshall rounded out the trio, bringing organization, heart, and a deeply personal connection to the mission.
When History Becomes Personal
Sharon’s involvement was shaped by loss — Barry’s brother, B Dave Townsend JR who served two tours in Vietnam, was killed at just 26 years old. Learning his story, seeing his photos, and understanding the pride and pain families carry became an emotional turning point. It was a reminder that behind every uniform is a life, and behind every life is a family.
That belief guides everything inside the museum.
Not Just Artifacts — Real People, Real Stories
This is not a place for anonymous artifacts.
Nearly every item has a name, a unit, and a story. Uniforms are only accepted if they come with history — because someone wore them, lived in them, and served in them. Many donations come from local families who have lost a veteran, trusting the museum to care for these pieces with respect.
Some items arrive with handwritten notes, old photographs, or even laundry slips from the 1940s — small details that bring the past vividly to life.
Rare Pieces That Carry the Weight of History
Among the collection are original photographs developed from negatives, including rare images from the Guadalcanal Campaign and WWII bombing missions flown by B-17 and B-24 crews.
There are also priceless records from the 301st Bombardment Group, listing every city bombed during World War II, from the first mission to the last. Scrapbooks assembled by a former Legion commander and local historian chronicle life from the 1920s through the 1940s — not just battles, but how people lived, thought, and felt during those times.
A Place That Stops People in Their Tracks
Visitors often pause in the doorway.
Younger generations, especially, stop and say, “Wow… where did all this come from?” Veterans — young and old — recognize ships, units, and moments that spark shared memories. Civilians gain something just as powerful: a tangible connection to service, sacrifice, and community history that can’t be learned from a textbook.
This physical space bridges generations — allowing stories to be seen, touched, and truly understood.
The Mission: Respect, Remembrance, and Restoration
This is the museum’s true mission:
to restore respect, preserve memory, and ensure that a generation of veterans — many of whom are no longer with us — is not forgotten.
It is a reminder that service is not a relic of the past, and that faith in veterans and their sacrifices deserves renewal.
Supported by the Community, It Honors
The Oneonta Veterans Museum runs entirely on donations, which help cover basic expenses and allow the collection to continue growing. Visitors are encouraged to sign the guestbook, leave a contribution if they’re able, and spread the word.
Word of mouth has already carried the museum far, welcoming visitors from across the country, from Hawaii to Michigan, all drawn by a shared respect for service and history.
Plan Your Visit
The Oneonta Veterans Museum is located on the second floor of the Oneonta American Legion Post #259 at
279 Chestnut Street is open to the public:
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Whether you come to honor a loved one, explore local history, or simply understand more about the people who served, you’ll find something here that stays with you long after you leave.
Because in this space, these stories are not over.
They are remembered. And they still matter.
