By Eric Timmons, etimmons@qconline.com

The Rock Island Arsenal will turn 150 years old this year and a military historian is hoping the celebrations will allow the community to learn more about the island's storied past.

"This whole year we are trying to celebrate the 150th," said U.S. Army Sustainment Command historian George Eaton, who is willing to speak at schools, and to civic groups and non-profits throughout the year to tell the Arsenal's story.

"The big thing we are trying to do is to get local civic groups to contact us and let us tell the story," he said.

Armed Forces Day in May and the Army Ball in June will include anniversary celebrations ahead of the official anniversary on July 11, when a birthday cake will be cut to celebrate the Arsenal's sesquicentennial.

Mr. Eaton wants the community to be involved in the celebrations and hopes to dedicate much of his time this year on outreach efforts to discuss the Arsenal's history.

An Act of Congress established the Rock Island Arsenal in 1862. Today, it's the largest government-owned and operated arsenal. The importance of the island was identified as early as 1809, when it was set aside as a federal military reservation by an Act of Congress.

To learn more about the Arsenal's history, local organizations can request a speaker from Army Sustainment Command to come to an event. For more information, go to www.aschq.army.mil and click on the "request a speaker" link.