Local Spotlight: U.S. Army Aviation Museum

U.S. Army Aviation Museum

As you sit down to plan the month of January, be sure to check off a couple of general resolutions like “learn something new” or “go somewhere new.” Achieve this with a visit to the U.S. Army Aviation Museum in nearby Fort Rucker.

Read up on Army Aviation History

The bad news: the museum is closed through Monday, January 18. The good news: before you visit in person, you have time to discover the long history of Army aviation via the website.  That means plenty of time to read ahead and uncover interesting facts such as the fact that Army aviation traces its roots back to the 1860s and the Civil War. 

According to the website, both the North and the South used hydrogen-filled balloons to direct artillery fire. This practice started aerial support of ground troops. By the time World War I ignites, airplanes advance the balloons, and the development of Army aviation takes off from there.

Volunteer-written articles giving more insight into the history are also available. The U.S. Army Aviation Museum calls these the “Spotlight In History” series. The five stories currently posted share details about the events, places, people and most importantly the machines that shape Army aviation history.

Plan Your Visit 

Enterprise is only about seven miles away from Fort Rucker, which is roughly a 12-minute drive via AL-284 W. The museum will open its doors again bright and early on Tuesday, January 19, at 9 a.m. Regular museum hours follow: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed Sundays.

The U.S. Army Aviation Museum follows public health and safety guidelines, including requiring that guests wear masks while inside. During your visit, enjoy seeing about 50 aircraft on display in specialty collections at any one time. That’s in addition to the more than 160 helicopters, airplanes, and other aircraft in the permanent collection as well as the 3,000 aviation artifacts in the Historical Property Collection. 

More to Know

The exact address for the U.S. Army Aviation Museum is 6000 Novosel St., Ft. Rucker, AL. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Because the museum is on-site at Fort Rucker, a valid photo ID is required for all guests ages 16 and older. The museum is designed for self-guided tours; however, guided tours may be arranged with advance notice. Contact the museum at (334) 598-2508 or email [email protected].

Summary

Feel good about doing something new and educational this month, and start 2021 off by soaring to new heights! Start your life in Enterprise anew with a place of your own at Summer Court Townhomes. Discover more good things about our community by reading our blogs!