The Lincoln Air Force Base Online Museum

Introduction

Nebraska carries a deep and proud heritage concerning its contributions to the world. Nebraskans invented kool-aid and vice-grips, we produce much of the world’s center pivots and have the largest railroad yard. Henry Fonda, Fred Astaire, and president Gerald Ford were born here. Yet there is a heritage about Nebraska that has been relatively overlooked. Small contributions towards preserving the state’s aviation history have been made but an overall museum dedicated to the efforts and missions of aerospace in the state still does not exist.

Considering the great history the state possesses in the way of aviation and its worldwide contributions, there is a need to provide this proud history to the citizens of this state and to offer outsiders a look into a fascinating and pivotal story of how Nebraska came to be an influential place of aviation.


A Brief History

Soon after the Wright Brother's first flight in 1903, aviation came to Nebraska and soon proved to be a great influence in the progression of the state's history. From the early days of World War I into the barnstorming days of the 1920's and 30's, Nebraska's aviation presence flourished. Aircraft manufacturing plants soon set up shop in Lincoln and Omaha and a few noteworthy aviation pioneers were known amongst Nebraska citizens including Charles Lindbergh, Evelyn Sharp and Curtis LeMay.

With the dawn of World War II, Nebraska was to be home to eleven Army Airfields. From glider training to mechanics schools to the first home of the flight crews of the 509th Composite Group, known for their missions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The state helped support a full spectrum of aerospace needs for the war effort including aircraft production, pilot training and many subcontractors to produce the many parts of an airplane.

After the war, the skies over the plains still heard the roar of aircraft engines with Kearney AFB (1947-1949). Kearney was a noteworthy base supporting a bomber escort mission, Lincoln AFB (1954-1966) an intercontinental bomber and missile base built and serving during the darkest days of the Cold War and of course Offutt AFB (1947-Present), once SAC headquarters and is still a military command center, critically vital to the defense needs of the United States.

Through less threatening skies developed Nebraska's general aviation throughout the 1950's through the present day. The development of Duncan Aviation proved to be an aviation powerhouse throughout the private aerospace world. On state-owned and small municipal fields across the state the buzzing of Cessna engines are well known. Crop dusters are also a familiar sight over rural skies and with the emergence of the helicopter, Nebraska has seen Medivac helicopters save many lives, military helicopters of many sizes conduct transport, air assault and medical evacuation themselves but also police helicopters, scanning the streets and helping catch criminals, keeping cities safe.

Even with its vast history, Nebraska aviation continues to be an influential force militarily and privately throughout the nation and even the world. With such a history, a great deal of informative, educational and inspiring stories could be presented to the public successfully.

 
Why?

Elements of Nebraska's aviation past can be seen across the state. From the abandoned structures of Fairmont State Airfield to the notable aviation history of Lincoln's 24th and "O" Streets to Evelyn Sharp's story in Ord, much is known but little is accessible directly to the public. The Nebraska State Historical Society keeps records in the subject but this is aimed primarily at researchers, scholars and students whereas the Strategic Air and Space Museum offers an immense history of Strategic Air Command as well as science education, but only a smaller percentage relates to Nebraska's rich aerospace heritage. A physical museum is needed whose mission would be concerned with keeping archival records and providing documentation (both physically and on-line). The fact that this would be open for public viewing displaying elements of the past in an interactive manner would mean a great aspect of the state’s culture could now be better enjoyed by both residents and could also influence tourism

Where?

1.      Lincoln Air Park

2.      Industrial Arts Building, UNL Innovation Campus

Lincoln Air Park

Though many air fields across the state are of great significance, Lincoln Air Park represents a history of aviation stretching back into the 1920's when Lincoln Airport was first established. Its role in history included becoming an Army Airfield in World War II, becoming home to Nebraska's Air National Guard force shortly thereafter, the establishment of a major Strategic Air Command bomber and missile base during the 1950s and 60s and finally its noteworthiness as a hub of general aviation. Also factored in is the field's proximity to I-80 and its higher traffic in Eastern Nebraska.

Several properties at Air Park are currently available that after consideration could become a home to such a museum and it would be a belief that such a cultural interest could help bring tourism and commerce into the rapidly expanding Air Park area. Increased traffic could help support the construction of more business and therefore more jobs to the area. There are multiple plans for area improvement and expansion, some of which are already complete.

Lastly, a museum here would be easily accessible to interstate travelers on I-80. Highway 34 improvements merely complement accessibility to the area. Beyond this, infrastructure including recently improved storm sewers in the Air Park area will prove beneficial as new lines and systems would not have to be built.

Industrial Arts Building

With the advent of concern for the Industrial Arts Building located on the former Nebraska State Fair Grounds, I believe this building (given proper restoration and preservation) could offer an excellent site for such a museum. Relatively ample interior floor space could offer small aircraft displays while some outdoor displays could be incorporated as well. Provided that this is a centralized location to Lincoln, quite close to downtown and UNL City Campus, I believe a museum in this location could draw in tourism to the area. Already heavily influenced by football, basketball and hockey fans this structure could provide influential culture and a sense of history to those visiting Lincoln, offering a museum within quick walking distance.

A museum in this location could offer a close linkage between the future (symbolized by innovation campus) and the rich past of this building (which actually was used for a time to assemble aircraft during the 1919). The Nebraska National Guard has a structure dedicated to its own history nearby at the aging arsenal building, perhaps a dual-use museum structure could be put into use at the IAB. The benefits here are much more traffic as well as a central location appropriate for cultural enhancement (considering Morill Hall, the Children’s Museum and sports venues nearby)

Precedent

A similar museum, the Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas, utilized space at a former Air Force Base there. Although their main mission is slightly different, the museum has remained a promoter of aviation history for over 25 years.

A Kansas Aviation Museum exists in Wichita promoting much the same idea as a Nebraska museum would, as does an Iowa Aviation Museum.

Arnold Heights Neighborhood Plans have mentioned of possibility of an aviation museum in the past as well.

The Industrial Arts Building needs a tenant, and various ideas brought forward express interest in cultural/historic uses for the building. An aviation museum would fall into those ideals.

Mission

The idea of a Nebraska Aviation Museum would be to promote the state's influence in aviation history but also what these events have meant to the state itself. A suggestion for three main areas would include

 - Archives and records - To collect exhibits and preserve records for future generations in both physical and computer form. Such records would compliment, but not compete with archival records of the Nebraska State Historical Society.

- Public Display and Education - To present information gathered in a form understandable by the public in that it displays a look into the past. This presentation should be educational but also entertaining for such a museum to succeed. Fresh displays and exhibits should be presented often to ensure repeat visitors. Most of all, the mission should be to provide a sense of pride and inspiration in Nebraska's aviation past.

- Internet Presence -  Due to the rapidly changing technology and also the way the public now gathers information over Internet sources, a great deal of attention should be paid to establishing a full web presence that would allow visitors to gain access to aviation records and histories.

 - Other – Considering either location at Innovation Campus or Air Park, perhaps a small   aviation-themed coffee shop/deli to provide limited food/beverage operations could be built within. The point here would be to attract visitors considering the currently limited availability of either in both spots. Such an operation could enhance museum revenue but also create a “meeting place” focal point that would enhance museum visibility.

As shown, preservation and archival records of such an institution should be a primary goal as without them an effective public presentation simply can't exist.

Funding

Financial matters would have to be further discussed. It is believed an institution of this type would be open to receive federal and state grants. Of course, donations would come into play as well.

Other Possibilities

Such a museum could work in concert with the Nebraska Air National Guard allowing the guard to present a history on more accessible grounds as many of its displays are presently within the National Guard base, off-limits to the public. Some Air National Guard as well as Army National Guard historical artifacts and information currently reside in a brick two-story building at Nebraska's State Fair Park that was only open during the Nebraska State Fair. As the existing museum building is decaying and small, perhaps a joint use of a museum in Air Park or at the IAB is possible with these two units.

In Closing

In all, such a museum would create great benefit for the Lincoln Air Park or central Lincoln as well as the Lincoln, Nebraska area itself. Northwest Lincoln lacks a significant cultural draw for visitors with the exception of infrequent air shows and increased traffic could help commerce in the area. The IAB needs a tenant and an aviation museum could neatly fit that mission. In addition, it could aid state tourism as a whole as outside visitors could gain knowledge and perhaps an interest in Nebraska. In the greater sense however, Nebraska lacks a museum dedicated to all of its significant aviation history. To present a story to future generations that carries the stories and lives of these important Nebraskans would be of great benefit for the state's culture as a whole.

Links:

Lincoln Airport Authority

Save the Industrial Arts Building