The Berlin Wall arrives in Blytheville for National Cold War Center

The largest section of the Berlin Wall housed outside of Germany now resides in Northeast Arkansas.

The National Cold War Center (NCWC) in Blytheville has acquired 36 original segments of the Berlin Wall, marking a milestone in the development of the Center and its mission to preserve and interpret one of the most consequential periods in modern history.

Together, the segments will form the largest publicly viewable collection of Berlin Wall segments outside Berlin, bringing one of the 20th century’s most powerful symbols of division and freedom to the United States at a scale rarely seen.

The segments were transported from Germany to the United States, arriving in Arkansas on Wednesday (May 13).

“This is a defining moment for the National Cold War Center,” said Christian Ostermann, executive director of the National Cold War Center. “These are not replicas — these are original pieces of history that once divided the world. Preserving and interpreting the Berlin Wall at this scale positions the center as an important institution for understanding the Cold War and its lasting impact on the world today.”

The Berlin Wall stood for nearly three decades as a physical symbol of global political and ideological division during the Cold War. By preserving and presenting these original artifacts, the National Cold War Center will offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience the physical presence of the Wall while exploring the global events, tensions, and decisions that shaped the modern world.

Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base — a Strategic Air Command Ready Alert installation during the Cold War era — the National Cold War Center is being developed to educate and engage the public through immersive experiences, research, and access to original historic assets.

The acquisition marks a major milestone for the center as it continues to expand its collections, partnerships, educational initiatives, and long-term vision. Through this collection, NCWC will expand educational programming and create new opportunities for students, scholars, policymakers, veterans, and the public to engage with Cold War history and its continued relevance today.

The full collection will be publicly unveiled at the National Cold War Center Gala in November. Additional details regarding exhibition plans, educational initiatives, and future announcements will be shared in the coming months.

Designated by Congress as America’s official Cold War Museum, the National Cold War Center will serve as a national hub for education, research and public engagement. The site offers a direct connection to the Cold War’s global military and geopolitical history.

Through immersive exhibits, archival resources and public programming, the center will provide a deeper understanding of the Cold War’s impact on modern global relations, national security and American life.

It will cost up to $30 million to complete the project, and officials are hopeful construction could begin by 2027. The air base was a top five target of the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.