It is home to over 20,000 aviation artifacts, six movie
theaters, art and photo galleries, flight simulators, two
"hands-on" interactive galleries for kids of all ages, a
substantial aviation library, a variety of vintage vehicles, and
over 220 historic airplanes.
Yes, it's the EAA Airventure Museum and it's free to all
Airventure attendees all week. See the newest exhibit featuring
SpaceShipOne or take a walk through aviation's storied past. And if
you are one of the few who hasn't yet made it over to the Museum,
the bus leaves every 10 minutes from the "tower" across the street
from the air market (is that correct?).
In charge of the Museum's 168,000 square feet of activity is
soft-spoken Adam Smith, 34. A history buff from way back (well, as
way back as you can go when you're 34), Adam is working his sixth
AirVenture - and enjoying every minute of it.
With a university degree in history and a master's in museum
studies ("I had a passion for history and an interest in all things
old and historical."), college jobs and volunteer experiences at
various museums -- and a special interest in WWI -- Adam was
director at the National Museum of Flight in Scotland prior coming
to Oshkosh.
"Oshkosh," he said, particularly for those outside the U.S., "is
considered Mecca for anyone with a passion for aviation. There's
something really special about it."
The Museum, which is overseen by the EAA, attracts 150,000
visitors annually, with a full 50,000 passing through the doors
just during AirVenture. This makes for a sort of dual calendar for
the relatively small number (12) of museum staff and hundreds of
EAA volunteers. The museum is integrated in many ways with the EAA,
sharing accounting and IT functions, among others. As the largest
museum north of Milwaukee, it is amazing to think how many visitors
it would attract if it the museum were lifted up and located smack
dab in a major city!
But it's not the behind-the-scene
"workings" of the museum that interest its patrons. It's the
exhibits. "Our museum is special in many ways," said Smith. "We not
only offer cool objects, but incredible human stories, complete
with the ultimate flying experience." Kids, he added, are
particularly attentive to what the Museum offers, and during the
year the museum offers kid programs galore.
The most popular exhibits at Airventure Museum? That's easy for
Smith. Eagle Hangar is number one. Dedicated to World War II
aviation and historic fighter jets, "people appreciate the
patriotism, courage and honor of those who flew the WWII planes,"
he said. The airplanes include examples of Allied fighters,
bombers, liaison aircraft, trainers, Army and Navy aircraft, plus
examples from Germany and Japan.
The Eagle Hangar, a hall of honor dedicated to the memory of
those who served valiantly in that monumental struggle for freedom,
also features a dramatic mural on the hangar's south wall that
depicts notable American aircraft and all the Allied theaters of
war. Spanning 120 feet, it allows the viewer to see at a glance the
vastness of this global conflict.
Pioneer Airport, a "living history" re-creation of what airports
were like during the early days of air travel, comes in a close
second, according to Smith.
More than 50 vintage airplanes are displayed in seven period
hangars designed to take participants back to aviation's "Golden
Age" of the 1920's and 30's. Engaging displays include a tribute to
the legendary air racer, designer and builder Steve Wittman.
Next month Pioneer Airport will hold its annual; "Good Ol' Days:
Pioneer Airport Living History Event, August 19-20, when staff and
volunteers bring the excitement and adventure of the golden age of
aviation back to life.
Additionally, Timeless Voices of Aviation, a major video history
project of the EAA AirVenture Museum, assures that the first-person
oral histories (700 of them to date) of aviation's development are
preserved for future generations.
The museum's collection of historic artifacts started in 1962
when Steve Wittman donated his famous air racer "Bonzo" - and the
EAA Air Museum was founded.
"We have the finest collection of artifacts of the world that
represents personal innovations in aviation," said Smith.
Smith's goals include maintaining exceptional high standards;
giving people interesting exhibits; increasing attendance; and
creating and stimulating financial support. The Museum is also
advancing its website, with the installation of three additional
webcams and providing additional online information for Internet
visitors from all over the world who may never have the opportunity
to physically visit the Museum.
The challenges, said Smith, as for any museum, is inherent in
what is required to preserve and protect artifacts. "Being good
stewards of the artifacts we look after and finding resources are
perhaps are major challenges."
For those few who may not know, EAA is an international
membership organization comprised of nearly 170,000 aviation
enthusiasts. Founded in 1953, EAA is an activity-oriented
association headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, whose mission is
to serve the needs and interests of its membership and the aviation
community by promoting the right to fly, preserving the heritage of
aviation, and preparing the future of aviation.