Museum Guide

Chenault Aviation & Military Museum honors veterans and soldiers from the Civil War through current conflicts! Through expansive collections of artifacts and compelling stories of the men and women who have served our country, the visitor receives a captivating insight into why we honor our history and our heroes. The museum is housed in the last remaining classrooms of the Selman Field Navigation School, the largest navigation school in the U.S. during WWII. The museum also honors the story of General Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers during WWII and how one man helped change the war in China. The bilingual “Way of a Fighter” exhibit is based on General Chennault’s book written in 1949. The museum also tells the story of how a small crop-dusting business evolved into the second largest airline in the world, Delta Airlines. Since opening its doors in 2000 with 3000 square feet, its expanded galleries have grown to 10,000 square feet providing over 11,000 artifacts and several veteran outreach programs. The aircraft restoration park will soon offer visitors a modern-day out-door facility with paved walk ways, covered pavilions, and restored military aircraft. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum has begun building an outdoor pavilion, display, and park showcasing seven restored military aircraft and more to tell our incredible story of aviation history and heritage. The Chennault Aviation Park will soon offer visitors a modern-day out-door facility with paved walk ways, covered pavilions, and restored military aircraft! The Museum also proud to host a number of educational programs. Chennault Museum is a regional judging place for the Nation History Day competition and sponsors the Freedom Spirit Art Competition for local art students. It provides STEM lesson plans offered online, offers field trips in the museum and aircraft restoration tours, has an extensive research library, has college internship opportunities! We look forward to welcoming you and showing you our vast military collections and exhibits! Check us out and learn more online:  https://chennaultmuseum.org/

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum Achieves $1.5 Million Fundraising Goal to Preserve the USS Cobia Submarine! The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in Manitowoc, WI is thrilled to announce that it hasachieved its fundraising goal of $1.5 million dollars to preserve the USS Cobia submarine, thanks to a generous grant of $500,000 from the State of Wisconsin! This critical funding was secured in the 2025-2027 State Biennial Budget, signed by Governor Evers in the early hours of July 3rd, and endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and State Representative Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc). Since 1970, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum has worked diligently to preserve USS Cobia so that its history remains accessible for generations to come. A critical milestone in this preservation will occur in September 2025 when the sub is towed to Sturgeon Bay for a six-week dry dock restoration at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. “We are so grateful to our staff, stakeholders, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle who recognize the importance of preserving USS Cobia as a national WWII historic landmark that enriches the cultural fabric of the City of Manitowoc and the State of Wisconsin,“We are so grateful to our staff, stakeholders, and elected officials on both s cognize the importance of preserving USS Cobia as a national WWII historic landmark that enriches the cultural fabric of the City of Manitowoc and the State of Wisconsin,” said Kevin Cullen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. “The $500,000 provided in the 2025-27 state budget will fund a portion of the investment necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the USS Cobia and ensure future generations can learn about Manitowoc’s contributions to the Allied forces during World War II,” said Senator LeMahieu. “This investment will inform thousands of annual visitors about the bravery and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation who fought in the Pacific or labored to build world-class submarines right here in Manitowoc,” said Representative Tittl. These dollars will provide the final piece of funding necessary for the restoration of USS Cobia. Additional funding is being provided through a $500,000 federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as hundreds of individual contributions from municipal, business, and private donors over the past decade. For more information about the project visit: https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/

  We'd like to welcome you to Castle Air Museum, where visitors can expect to peek into the past of advanced aerospace technologies and glimpse into the future of aviation.   Our museum is home to more than 85 Military Aircrafts and countless historical artifacts ranging from pre-WWII spaning 87 years! Here at Castle, we are preserving military aviation heritage for generations to come. Each of our airplanes and artifacts have stories to tell. We are honored to share their rich history with you.   Castle Air Museum is located in Atwater, CA and is based on 35 acres of the original Castle Air Force Base. Castle boasts the most complete collection of Bombers on the West Coast, including some of the rarest preserved bombers in the nation, such as the Douglas B-18 Bolo, Douglas B-23 Dragon, Convair B-36 Peacemaker, North American B-45 Tornado, Boeing B-50 Superfortress, and Convair B-58 Hustler. We are also home to the A6 Intruder, AV 8B, Marine Core Harrier. Come explore over 70 years of aviation history! Come and be amazed!    Once you’ve explored the outdoor aircraft displays, you can visit the indoor museum where you can see a fascinating collections of war-time memorabilia, including an outstanding array of Army Air Corps and Air Force uniforms, and the once top-secret Norden Bomb Sight! https://castleairmuseum.org/indoormuseum/ Stay at the Castle Air Museum RV Park. We have 15 Full Hook-Up Spaces available. Each hook-up space includes water, sewer, electricity, and Wi-Fi. We have 7 Dry Camp Spaces available. Each Dry Camp space includes one dump per day. Dump Station available Dawn to Dusk. Please contact Camp Host for assistance. https://castleairmuseum.org/rv-park-info/   When your are visiting California, make it a point to visit and stay at Castle Air Musuem -  perfect venue to immerse yourself in military aviation history! www.castleairmuseum.org