
November is Aviation History Month. It's a great chance to reflect on the history of air travel and all those who have made aviation what it is today. From Wilbur and Orville Wright to Amelia Earhart, so many notable people have shaped the industry. You can celebrate by reading more about these aviation pioneers and also by visiting aviation museums. There just so happen to be some great ones across the state of Ohio.
10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum showcases both automobiles and aircraft. One of the most notable displays is the 1910 Curtiss Model E "Bumble Bee," a small prop plane. The museum also houses a 1930 Howard DGA-3 named "Pete," which won five out of seven races in the National Air Races in Chicago.
This museum is open Thursday - Sunday, and admission is $15 for adults. Discounts are available for students and veterans, and active military members receive free admission.
2260 International Parkway, North Canton, OH 44720
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The MAPS Air Museum is a great place to learn about the history of military aviation. Inside, you'll get to see an assortment of military aircraft from various periods in history. See a Martin Glider from the early 1900s, a BT-13A from World War II, and so much more. There are also displays honoring fallen soldiers and Medal of Honor recipients.
This museum is open Tuesday - Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults and free for active service members and World War II veterans. A guided tour takes about 2 hours, but most people spend 3 - 4 hours inside the museum.
1501 N. Marginal Rd. Ste. 165, Cleveland, OH 44114
Countless women have played essential roles in advancing the aviation industry, and this museum in Northeast Ohio honors them. Admission is free, and guided tours are available for a small donation. The museum is located inside Burke Lakefront Airport, and the exhibits are accessible daily from 8 am - 8 pm.
Some of the displays at the International Women's Air & Space Museum include the jacket of former NASA astronaut Pam Melroy and a model of Beguine, a plane flown by Jackie Cochran. There are also displays honoring Amelia Earhart, Ruth Nichols, and Bessie Quimby.
5075 S. Hamilton Rd, Groveport, OH 43125
Motts Military Museum is a great place to stop if you're near Columbus. Their mission is to preserve the past of the American military through documentation and collection of artifacts. While not strictly an aviation museum, they do have a lot of aircraft-related displays. There's an exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots from the 1940s. There's also an entire display on the history of NASA.
This museum is open Tuesday - Sunday. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 for children ages 5 and up.
1652 N. Main St., Urbana, OH 43078
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A group of volunteers opened the Champaign Aviation Museum in 2005. Today, it houses eight vintage aircraft, most of which have been restored by the members. They have a B-25 Mitchell, known as "Champaign Gal," and a C-1A (TF-1) affectionately called "Mudflap Girl" — among others.
This museum is housed on the property of Grimes Field. They're open Tuesday - Saturday, and admission is free, although donations are appreciated. You can also take a virtual tour of the museum on their website.
3430 Old Columbus Rd. NW, Carroll, OH 43112
The Historical Aircraft Squadron is a museum within Hanger B at the Fairfield County Airport. It's open Wednesdays and Sundays from 9 am - 4 pm and is staffed by volunteer members. Admission and tours are free.
Inside this museum, you'll see vintage pilot's uniforms, older aircraft, and historic military equipment. There's also an extensive collection of books and DVDs that you can explore in the reading room.
262 Wilmer Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45226
Located in Lunken Field of the Cincinnati Municipal Airport, this museum houses a collection of scale model airplanes, including a 1939 Stinson SR-10C and a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer. They also have a Smith Termite and a Burt Rutan. In addition to aircraft, they have a wide array of books and magazines on aviation-related topics.
The Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Society Museum is a small and friendly one and a great place to dip your toes into aviation for Aviation Month.
1100 Spaatz St., Dayton, OH 45431
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There's no doubt that the U.S. Air Force has played a vital role in developing the aviation industry over the years. That's why visiting the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is a great way to celebrate Aviation History Month. The museum offers free admission and parking, and it's open seven days a week from 9 am - 5 pm.
Inside the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, you'll see more than 350 different aerospace vehicles. You'll also get to see missiles and other weapons used by the Air Force over the years. The World War II gallery houses aircraft that were used both in the Pacific and in Europe. You'll see a Douglas A-24, a Consolidated B24D Liberator, and so many more. Also on display is a demilitarized Little Boy, an atomic weapon originally constructed in 1945.
4021 Borman Dr., Batavia, OH 45103
The Tri-State Warbird Museum is a 22,000 square foot facility that includes an aircraft restoration area, various exhibits of aviation-related artifacts, and two large hangars where aircraft are displayed. There's also an extensive library of magazines, books, and other references related to flight.
This museum is truly a must-see if you're in the Cincinnati area. They've been recognized as one of the most admired aviation museums. You can visit Wednesday or Saturday, and admission ranges from $7 - $12 per person.
Air travel has truly transformed the world, and that's well worth celebrating. Which one of these aviation museums do you plan on gliding into for Aviation History Month?