E-Mail
Print
tool name
closeWARNER ROBINS — The Museum of Aviation celebrated its 25th birthday Friday night during an evening dinner and ceremony.
Many people who attended the event were responsible for building the museum from a collection of artifacts to the five-hangar compound it is today.
“It’s always been community-based,” said Peggy Young, the museum director during its first decade and a half of operations. “The people who work on the base would dig and cut grass on Saturday morning.”
The father of the Museum of Aviation is Guy Stone, a World War I veteran who lived in Warner Robins. Stone bequeathed his collection of aviation memorabilia to Robins Air Force Base after he died in 1980.
Two years later, Maj. Gen. John Paulk, the commanding general of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at the time, formalized plans to build the museum, comprised largely of Stone’s collection.
As ground broke on the facility, historic aircraft from around the world made their way toward Warner Robins to supplement Stone’s memorabilia. By the end of 1983, 30 historic planes and helicopters were being stored in Warner Robins, waiting for the museum to open.
That day came Nov. 9, 1984. In its first year, the museum had more than 60,000 visitors.
“It was the right idea at the right place at the right time,” Young said.
The museum was founded without government money and has operated ever since with private donations.
Twenty-five years later, the museum has amassed more than $39 million in donations. It hosts 700 events a year.
Last fiscal year, it drew about 600,000 visitors, including 48,000 school-aged children.
Friday’s ceremony was punctuated by Amanda Wright Lane, great-grandniece of Orville and Wilbur Wright.
“What’s wonderful about my family’s legacy is that it continues on today,” Lane said in an interview before the ceremony. “These museums, I hope, inspire kids to chase after their dreams.”
To contact writer Thomas L. Day, call 744-4489.
@Nyx.CommentBody@