| Minnesota Air Guard Museum |
Avg. visitor rating:  (180 visitors) |
Photo Gallery | Exhibits | Reviews | Links |
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A 'young' Museum preserves 75 years of history
Each year, thousands of people visit the Minnesota Air Guard Museum to view the sleek and mysterious BLACKBIRD and appreciate the unique and colorful history of Minnesota Air Guard. Vintage to near-current aircraft, artifacts, memorabilia and photographs tell the story.
In the mid-1970s, the Museum was just an exciting concept among a small groups of visionary former Minnesota Air Guardsmen. They proposed a Museum to preserve the distinguished history of the Minnesota Air National Guard, the first air militia unit in any state receive Federal recognition as a viable part of the National Guard.
Meeting in cramped quarters, this small group of men started the necessary paper work to file for incorporation. They searched through numerous files for names and most-current addresses of former Minnesota Air National Guardspersons, compiling a mailing list for membership solicitation.
The Minnesota Air National Guard Historical Foundation was incorporated in May 1980 and by mid-1982, the Museum was recognized as a Class "C" US Air Force Museum. This recognition involves no funding but does allow the Museum to access aircraft and other military artifacts through Air Force Channels. A C-47 Gooney Bird flew in Dec. 17, 1982, the first aircraft received through the Air Force Museum program. A P-51 Mustang had been privately acquired earlier from a Museum in England.
A total of 15 aircraft have now come to roost at the Museum. The other 12 are F-102, F-94, T-33, C-131, C-45, L-4, F-89, F-101, F-4C, RF-4c, BC-1A also known as the T-6 and a Pietenpol. And, a from-scratch Curtiss Oriole is under construction.
F-89s stood alert in the facility that is now the home of the Museum. All renovation work was done by volunteers plus some contracted labor paid by privately solicited funds. The Museum was officially dedicated July 22, 1984 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and open house.
General Information
- Days of operation
- Open weekends mid-April through mid-September.
- Winter - second Saturday of each month.
- Hours of operation
- Summer: 11:00am to 4:00pm
- Escorted tours for groups of 10 of more by
appointment only.
- Admission
- $2.00 donation, adults 16 and older
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Reviews / Comments by our visitors
| Daniel L. Berek , New Jersey |  After an extremely unpleasant experience with the base security personnel, I arrived at the museum in an upset state. Immediately, several of the volunteers reassured me and made me feel very welcome, even offering me a cold soda pop. I cannot say enough about the dedicated volunteers at this museum - everyone was so friendly and accommodating. The exhibits are well worthwhile; I was able to tour a C-131 and a KC-97, both aircraft being very hard to find, much less board and take pictures to my heart's content. The museum features a wide variety of aircraft, engines, and simulators - all eye candy for airplane afficianados like myself. The museum is located on the southern boundary of the Minneapolis - Saint Paul International Airport and well worth a visit. Admission is free, but donations are welcome; these hard-working folks, all volunteers, deserve whatever you can afford. And thanks to them, I had a rewarding and highly worthwhile experience, and I am sure you will too. 08/04/2010 @ 14:36 [ref: 10385] |
| Deanna , Minnesota | Dale is my Uncle and he lives in Brainerd, MN. He travels a lot for his work, currently in Jacksonville FL. 11/18/2008 @ 11:32 [ref: 8522] |
| David Hollinbeck , California |  670 General Miller Drive is not in my GPS and can't be found by Google Earth. 01/21/2008 @ 15:59 [ref: 6688] |
| tom Hudson, Wisconsin | Last I heard, Dale Armstrong retired from the FAA and has his own aviation accident investigation consulting company. He lives somewhere in Northern Minnesota, I believe. 08/15/2006 @ 05:39 [ref: 5188] |
| Mr.Harmilapi Salzburg, | I am Looking for Mr. Amstrong who was with his group in Germany and resided in Hotel Birkenhof,he or any other member of his group is requested to contact me either through e-mail or 0043-662-431236 02/21/2006 @ 10:18 [ref: 4822] |
| Mr.Harmilapi Salzburg, | I am Looking for Mr. Amstrong who was with his group in Germany and resided in Hotel Birkenhof,he or any other member of his group is requested to cotact me either through e-mail or 0043-662-431236 02/21/2006 @ 10:16 [ref: 4821] |
| Tom Quinlan, Maj., USAF (Ret) Amery, WI, Wisconsin | Will visit again in April, 2004. Looking for copy of book, "50th Anniv., 1921-51, MN ANG" about the 133rd Military Airlift Wing. Book copyright 1970 by Dept. of Mil. Affairs, State of MN. Please contact Tom Quinlan at 715-268-8762 or above e-mail address. Thank you. 03/07/2004 @ 14:57 [ref: 3003] |
| James O\'Leary highland, New York | Looking for a fellow pilot of my dad's.They flew L-4's for the 9th Arm'd.Div..His name is Harold "Swede"Larsen,and entered service from Iowa in 1942."Swede",of the 16thAFA bn.was first to spot the bridge at Remagen.Can someone be of help? 07/05/2001 @ 04:35 [ref: 1257] |
| Bruce Minneaoplis, Minnesota | Great Museum! They also have a C97G that they are restoring. 05/05/2001 @ 23:57 [ref: 1082] |
| Scott Adams Plymouth, Minnesota | More exhibits than expected. Very well kept up and friendly people. 05/05/2001 @ 18:13 [ref: 1079] |
External pages about this museum
| http://www.mnangmuseum.org/ |
Last updated: 02/14/00.
Send corrections/additions by e-mail to museum-info@brooklyn.cuny.edu