The Fort Lewis Military Museum is fortunate to occupy the historic Red Shield Inn. Originally built by the Salvation Army to house visiting family and friends of those serving at Camp Lewis, it is one of two extant buildings on Joint Base Lewis-McChord which date back to the First World War-era.

Over the years the building served as a hotel and excess military housing, until it was deemed unsafe in 1972. In 1973 the building was turned into the Fort Lewis Military Museum and was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Deferred maintenance left the third floor of the museum uninhabitable until a major renovation took place from 2009-late 2011. The entire building has been upgraded physically and will soon see an exhibit upgrade – to be completed in 2016.