As usual, constant upgrades and changes are being applied to this massive store. Two great additions are that of the National Sporting Arms Museum and the Archery Hall of Fame Museum. These high quality attractions, even with free admission are well worth your consideration. Whether you are a gun enthusiast, a history buff, or an aficionado of old western movies, you'll find something interesting. The multi-million dollar collection is likely to be one of the best in the world.
I expected to see examples of weaponry throughout history, but I did not expect to see historic guns owned and fired by specific people:
- Napoleon Bonaparte, the infamous emperor of France
- Sharp Shooter and Western Legend Annie Oakley
- Five-Star General and President Dwight Eisenhower
- President Grover Cleveland, the only president to serve nonconsecutive terms
- Composer and Conductor John Philip Sousa
In a separate room is a diorama tribute to President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. Central to the TR exhibit were a few of the guns owned by the 26th president.
Displays at Outdoor World are always intricate, and no expense is ever too much. From the lighting to the flooring, from the railing to the dioramas, the designers put lots of thought into making this a museum of high caliber (pun definitely intended). If you're in the Springfield area, I'd recommend you spend some time looking at the taxidermy, the aquaria, and the displays, as well as do some shopping. There is something there for everyone: the naturalist, the fisherman, the outdoorsman, the stylist, sportsman, or even the interior designer.