War Dogs: K9 Military Heroes
2025-09-20 10:00 - 2026-02-01 17:00 UTC
War Dogs: K9 Military Heroes
September 20, 2025 – February 1, 2026
“I want to pay tribute to the soldiers who served with great sacrifice by creating the sculptural allegory of wounded warrior dogs who were the soldier’s best friend and companion in battle.”
– artist, James Mellick

Since the American Revolutionary War, military working dogs have served with all branches of the United States Armed Forces. First used as pack animals, working dogs have expanded their military roles to include scouting, policing, detection, and combat. U.S. military dogs officially began serving in WWII, following the formation of the Dogs for Defense, Inc. coalition. Today, hundreds of dogs serve with U.S. military forces around the globe assisting with dangerous missions on today’s modern battlefields.
The Upcountry History Museum will spotlight and honor the important role of these four-legged warriors when it hosts War Dogs: K9 Military Heroes. The exhibition combines life-size sculptures designed by Ohio master craftsman James Mellick with combat art and objects on loan from the collections of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, and the Naval History & Heritage Command.
The project features eight Wounded Warrior and two Canine War Dog sculptures, bringing attention to the history, service and heroism of military working dogs. The collection represents Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Belgian Malinois who served in WWII, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan military campaigns.
One of the sculptures honors Lucca, a Marine Corps war dog. Lucca conducted more than 400 missions during two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. One of those missions cost Lucca her leg and severe burns but there were no human casualties under her watch. When she retired, Lucca’s handler adopted her.
Twenty pieces of art paint a more complete picture of dogs at work, detailing the most menacing war dogs to goggled high-flying dogs to sleeping warriors and keen detectives. Artifacts include items used by war dogs and their handlers. Dog uniforms, medical kits and Purple Hearts share poignant stories of perseverance and bravery. Military working dogs have served and protected countless lives in war, this inspiring exhibition tells their amazing story.

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Beyond Halloween Land: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
2025-10-18 10:00 - 2026-03-01 17:00
Beyond Halloween Land : Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
October 18, 2025 – March 1, 2026
Just in time for the holidays, the Upcountry History Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will present an exhibition dedicated to Filmmaker Tim Burton. Beyond Halloween Land | Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas will offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the iconic 1993 stop-action animated film by showcasing a carefully curated collection of models and original artwork used to bring the beloved film to life.
The Nightmare Before Christmas originated from a poem written by Burton in 1982 while he was working as an animator at Walt Disney Productions. Burton then began to consider developing the poem into a short film or a half-hour television special, to no avail. Over the years his thoughts regularly returned to the project and in 1990, he made a development deal with Walt Disney Studios. The project’s production started in July 1991.
Made before the era of computer generated imagery, Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas used 109,490 photographs for the labor-intensive stop animation process. Released on October 29, 1993, the film was met with commercial and critical success, earning praise for its animation, particularly the innovation of stop-motion as an art form, as well as its characters, songs, and score.
In the 30+ years since its release, the film’s creepy holiday magic remains contagious. Now deemed an “annual must-see Christmas classic”, the beloved film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of “Halloween Town”, who stumbles upon “Christmas Town” and schemes to take over the holiday, which includes kidnapping Santa Claus. Jack’s plans go awry causing him to state “I’m afraid I’ve made a terrible mess of your holiday” to Santa, and to undoing the chaos that has been created. In return Santa assures Jack that there are no hard feelings between them and brings a snowfall to “Halloween Town”, thereby bringing the Christmas spirit to the town.
Organized by the Upcountry History Museum in partnership with private collectors, the exhibition will invite visitors to reconnect with the endearing yet quirky characters from Burton’s iconic The Nightmare Before Christmas, such as Oogie Boogie, Bone Crusher, Sally, Dr. Finkelstein, and the beloved hero Jack Skellington. The exhibit will weave together maquettes originally crafted for Burton’s iconic film, and an array of artworks, inviting visitors to embark on their own imaginative journeys into the realms of fantasy.

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