James Rogers McConnell Air Museum
Location within North Carolina | |
| Established | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Location | Carthage, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°20′12″N 79°26′15″W / 35.3366°N 79.4375°W |
| Type | Aviation museum |
| Founder | Roland Gilliam |
| Website | www |
The James Rogers McConnell Air Museum is an aviation museum located at the Gilliam-McConnell Airfield in Carthage, North Carolina focused on aviation in World War I.
History
Background
Roland Gilliam purchased 120 acres (0.49 km2) acres near Carthage, North Carolina and began building Gilliam-McConnell Airfield in 1989.[1][a] The airport was completed in 1994 when the 2,500 ft (760 m) runway was paved. It was followed by the construction of several houses and the opening of a restaurant in 2008.[2][b]
Establishment
After learning about James Rogers McConnell, a North Carolina pilot killed in World War I, Gilliam was motivated to establish the museum in Fall 2013.[3][4] It opened ten years later on 23 September 2023.[5][6]
The museum received a donation of over 2,500 model airplanes in 2019.[7]
Exhibits
An airport beacon is on display at the museum.[8]
Collection
- Aero Commander 500[9]
- Curtis P-40 Warhawk – replica[9]
- Grumman OV-1 Mohawk[4]
- Nieuport XI – 7/8 scale replica[9]
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a – 7/8 scale replica[9]
References
Footnotes
- ^ The airport was sold to Dr. Rick Hilliard in 2021.[1]
- ^ The restaurant was set up in a building salvaged from Sandhills Community College.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c Douglass, Laura (3 February 2021). "Carthage Airfield Set to Exchange Hands". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Walker, Bill (11 March 2010). "A Dream Realized". General Aviation News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "About the Museum". James R. McConnell Air Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b Holland, Grace (10 November 2023). "New Carthage Air Museum Honors Past, Present Veterans of the Sky". WRAL News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Lukow, Dave (29 September 2023). "Air Museum Opens Doors in Carthage". Sandhills Sentinel. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Emilee (27 September 2023). "After Years of Collecting, Carthage Air Museum Takes Off". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Baxley, Jaymie (25 June 2019). "Over 2,500 Model Planes Donated to Carthage Air Museum". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Misegades, Kent (5 November 2013). "Original Airway Tower Erected at Gilliam-McConnell". General Aviation News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Museum Exhibits". James R. McConnell Air Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2024.