A Brief History of West Point

The United States Military Academy (USMA), established in 1802, is renowned for producing exceptional leaders. Situated in West Point, New York, the Academy was initially founded by President Thomas Jefferson to train officers for the rapidly expanding army. Throughout its history, West Point has evolved, adapting to the changing needs of the nation's defense. USMA has consistently upheld its mission of educating, training, and inspiring cadets to become leaders of character, prepared to serve their country with honor and distinction. The Academy’s rich history links its graduates as part of a Long Gray Line, and those graduates have played an integral part in the nation’s history. 

Notable Graduates

Over 80,000 men and women have graduated from the United States Military Academy since its founding in 1802. Academy graduates have excelled in academia, business, science, and government, as well as the military. Seventy-seven have received the Medal of Honor; two (Grant and Eisenhower) were presidents of the United States, and many are senior Army leaders today.

West Point Traditions

Every college has its own culture and traditions. But, with more than two hundred years of American and military history, and West Point’s time-honored traditions, the U.S. Military Academy truly is like nowhere else.

Visit the West Point Museum

Since 1843, the mission of the West Point Museum has been to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret historically significant artifacts and stimulate interest in the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Army, and the Profession of Arms. The West Point Museum also supplements academic, cultural, and military instruction and provides educational programs and services for Cadets, the military, and civilian personnel.

The museum offers a taste of the over 60,000 Army historical artifacts that inspire and educate the U.S. Corps of Cadets daily. The holdings of the West Point Museum are displayed not only within the Museum’s walls at Pershing Center, but throughout the United States Military Academy at West Point’s buildings and grounds.