Photo Courtesy of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
On May 14, 2016, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum turned twenty years old! In honor of this occasion, we’re sharing twenty fun facts about this Savannah institution and the organization it honors.
1. The 8th Air Force was activated in Savannah on January 28, 1942
2. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is home to “Mission Experience” – a video series that allows guests to experience a bombing mission.
3. The museum welcomes 20,000 students each year.
4. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is home to five static aircrafts, including a B-17, and hundreds of model airplanes.
5. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to telling the stories of the Eighth Air Force.
6. The museum offers overnight adventures for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and school groups.
7. The museum’s B-17, The City of Savannah, is dedicated and named after the 5,000th plane to leave Hunter Army Airfield during WWII.
8. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has a large volunteer group, including several WWII 8th Air Force Veterans.
9. The museum is home to the only public access B-17 restoration.
10. The museum receives no government support. They are funded solely by donations and grants.
11. The museum’s research center is home to over 10,000 books, diaries and historical documents.
12. The museum’s English chapel hosts weddings and memorials year-round.
13. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is home to an english pub. The pub is open for for lunch during the week, and is available for event catering .
14. The museum has a private art collection permanently on display in the Colonial Group, Inc. Art Gallery.
15. The museum has an exhibit dedicated to the Girl Scouts in WWII and has a “Women Through Time” badge available for Girl Scouts.
16. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has a full event staff, available to help plan events from small business gatherings to large, formal weddings.
17. The museum offers large group tours for all ages. The tours are often conducted by WWII Veterans.
18. The beautifully manicured Memorial Garden is perfect for a peaceful walk.
19. The museum’s powerful and interactive P.O.W. exhibit tells the personal stories of several WWII prisoners of war.
20. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is home to exhibits honoring the famed Tuskeegee Airmen, WASPs, and Women on the Homefront.
Click here to learn more about the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
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