The East Contra Costa Historical Society is honoring America’s troops this Fourth of July with the unveiling of a new military-themed display at the Society’s museum this weekend.

Museum docent Joyce De Cato said while some of the members were cleaning out a storage area, they discovered boxes filled with military artifacts and memorabilia, so the nonprofit group decided to put the discovery to use and design a new display.

“We found all kinds of things in these boxes, from uniforms to old sleeping bags,” De Cato said. “Some of the uniforms date back to World War I, so we decided it was time to put them on display instead of hiding them in boxes.”

The Salute to the Military display will be set up in the dining area of the Nail House, which serves as the focal point of the historical museum, and will remain up for the rest of the season, which ends in October.

The museum is open on Saturday afternoons, but since this Saturday is Independence Day, the museum will open earlier at 11 a.m. In addition to unveiling the new display, the historical society will host a car show. All cars are welcome, said De Cato. “There’s no registration fee, but there are no prizes, either. It’s just a chance for people to show off their cars.” The celebration concludes at 4 p.m.

A DJ will be on site to serenade visitors, and light refreshments will be available for those touring the facilities, which include an 1878 farmhouse, old farm equipment, wagons and early tools. The Nail House also features displays in the bedrooms full of fun items of interest and history. Downstairs there are displays of an authentic parlor, office and kitchen, remodeled back to the turn of the 20th century. The yard adjacent to the Nail House features tractors, Model T’s, fire trucks, a covered wagon, and even a caboose. The museum’s schoolhouse will re-open following renovation.

The event is free to the public, but as the Society receives no outside funding, donations are always welcome. The East Contra Costa Historical Museum is located at 3890 Sellers Ave. in Brentwood. For more information, call De Cato at 925-679-1024.