Night at the Museum to offer history, fun

Some of history's most famous men and women will be resurrected in Warner Robins on Saturday. Night at the Museum will feature costumed characters, equipment and vehicles on display, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities inside two hangars at the Museum of Aviation.

The family-friendly event, held every other year since 2012, was inspired by the film series of the same name, starring Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams. The movies are about a security guard at the Museum of Natural History and the exhibits that come to life after closing time.

"There was a lot of excitement about the movie, and we really wanted to do something similar in bringing our history to life," Melissa Spalding, Museum of Aviation educational director, said.

For more details about the event, click here.

The museum already had a living history program, and the event was a way to bring in extra characters for a larger nighttime gathering, she said. Staff members and volunteers will dress up as historical figures and icons and share their stories with visitors.

Betsy Ross, Amelia Earhart, Sally Ride, Bessie Coleman, Wyatt Earp, Albert Einstein, Teddy Roosevelt, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Tuskegee Airmen pilots and "Rosie the Riveter" are some of the characters expected to be portrayed Saturday. Fictional characters such as Captain Hook and Darth Vader also will be on-site for photos. In addition, some veterans and actual members of the Tuskegee Airmen will participate in the exhibits.

"Some people will come out because they really want to see the planes. Some people will come because they really want to take a picture with Wyatt Earp. It's history, and it's lots of fun," Spalding said.

Attendees can get a closer look at some of the museum's aircraft. For example, a gun turret for a World War II plane will be set out to demonstrate how it operates, and a helicopter and fighter jets will be opened up. Students can get involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities, such as a study on missile triangulation.

Spalding said Night at the Museum is a community effort, with many people volunteering their time to help make it happen. The program aims to raise awareness for the Museum of Aviation as well as money for supplies for its summer camps, which are available to children in pre-K through 12th grade. Camp gift certificates will be given away through drawings during the event.

"The goal is to bring more people to the Museum of Aviation so they can see all the great things that we have here. It's really a special thing that we have in Middle Georgia," Spalding said.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 10:01 PM with the headline "Night at the Museum to offer history, fun ."