One of the most recent acquisitions by the Oneida Pioneer Museum is the full dress uniform worn by James Peter Jensen during the Spanish-American War. The family of Rex and Thora Jensen donated the uniform along with photos taken in 1898 of sites related to the war when Rex’s father, James Peter, was stationed in the Philippines. Other memorabilia, including buttons, Filipino money, a money pouch, and a pocket knife were also brought to the Museum by Rex Jensen’s daughter, Jeannine Jensen Mills.

The Museum has a good collection of uniforms from World Wars I and II, but this is the first uniform from the Spanish-American War to be added to the collection.

The United States entered this war to support the ongoing struggle by Cuba and the Philippines against Spanish rule. The Spanish-American War was fought between May and August 1898 with the official ending of the war on December 10, 1898, when the Treaty of Paris was signed. Approximately 280,500 men served in the war, and 2061 died. The war ended Spanish rule in the Western Hemisphere.

 The 1st Idaho Volunteer Infantry served in the Philippines during the war. At the time the Idaho unit was mustered into service at Boise, the unit consisted of 32 officers and 644 enlisted men.

This four-month war was a turning point in United States history because it marked the transformation of the United States from a developing nation into a global power. At the end of the war, the United States had acquired the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

The Jensen family’s donation of this uniform brings the history of this short but important war to Oneida County.

The Oneida Pioneer Museum will close on Labor Day although tours of the Museum can be made by appointment throughout the year.