In the honor of Sir William Wallace Atterbury, a Brigadier General, who served in the World War I, this museum in Columbus Indiana is named the ‘Atterbury – Bakalar Air Museum’. It was built in the memory of all those who served in one way or other in the wars and conflicts between the time span of 1942 to 1970.
The mission of this museum is to uphold the history, educate people in the area about aircraft and honor the soldiers and those who fought in wars and who are presently working in the defense field. It also conserves the memory of the Second World War, and the conflicts of Vietnam, Korea and Cuba which affected many lives.
The museum was registered on 11th of November 1992. It is located at the municipal airport of the city Columbus in Indiana, near the control tower and the ramp. The static display of Jet fighters is also nearby. The museum is open from 10 am to 2 pm Tuesday through Friday. On Saturday, the timings are 10 am to 4 pm whereas it remains closed on two days of the week, Sunday and Monday. If one wants to organize special tours, then one can contact the museum authority and they will allot the time slot before or after the regular timings or even on holidays. There is no entry fee but we can always donate and contribute to the preservation of our own history.
Here we can see the photographs and read about the Glider Pilots of the World War II, Vietnam special operation armada numbered 2466, 434 and 71, the Tuskegee Airmen who flew B-25s in World War II and other airmen, leaders, base, equipment, aircrafts and so on. “The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame” is the special attraction of this museum. The area between the Rotating Bacon and the Control Tower is a quiet place called Bakalar Green where F-4 Phantom, Historical Markers related to aircraft and memorial walkway can be seen. The Jeanne Lewellen Norbeck Memorial Chapel is also a part of this museum. The Atterbury- Bakalar museum also hosts Bartholomew County Memorial for old soldiers.
The volunteers who work and help here are known as 95ers. This group was formed during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the World War II. The museum officials can be contacted on 812 372-4356. And you can write to them on,
Atterbury Bakalar Air Museum, 4742 Ray Boll Boulevard, Columbus, Indiana – 47203
