Radar O'Reilly M*A*S*H Exhibit

Go back in military history as the Iowa Heartland History Connection and Meet Ottumwa partner in a new pair of exhibits featuring the history of the Korean War and the community’s ties to the M*A*S*H television show.

The iconic M*A*S*H novel by Richard Hooker opens with Walter “Radar” O’Reilly and the character’s hometown, Ottumwa. When the novel was adapted into a movie and then a television show, Ottumwa’s fictitious native son went along for the ride. 

The exhibit at Iowa Heartland History Connection, Wapello County’s historical museum, will feature Korean War history, photographs from real M*A*S*H units, as well as trivia and souvenirs from the tv show. Look for M*A*S*H items available to purchase in the gift shop, and to top it all off, you can get your picture taken in Radar's bunk.

Meet Ottumwa’s portion of the exhibit gives visitors their own connection to Radar and the TV show. In addition to an Army-themed selfie station and one-of-a-kind memorabilia for purchase, read through all the Ottumwa mentions on the show, learn the background of real-life "Radar" Don Shaffer, and pick up a copy of the M*A*S*H Characters’ Hometown Tour. This map is an itinerary to visit 11 of the characters’ birthplaces, from coast to coast and across to Hawaii.

The Iowa Heartland History Connection is located at 1 Museum Drive, on Business 63 North, and is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet Ottumwa’s office is in the Main Lobby of Bridge View Center, and it is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address

102 Church St.
Ottumwa IA 52501

Phone

(641) 684-4303