The Millville Army Air Field Museum and Historic District preserves an important chapter in the defense of the United States of America. Dedicated in 1941 as “America’s First Defense Airport,” the facility quickly came under military control during WWII, serving as a gunnery school for over 1500 pilots flying Republic P47 Thunderbolt aircraft. After the war it was returned to the city of Millville and has been a commercial airport ever since.
Millville Army Air Field Museum
The museum, housed in the original Base Headquarters Building, displays a large collection of WWII aviation artifacts highlighting the vital role of Millville Army Air Field in preparing fighter pilots for the Second World War. Additional exhibits cover the Korean and Vietnam wars.
The historic district preserves about 100 WWII era buildings, more than any other airport in the country. 25 of them have been inscribed in the New Jersey Historic Register.
Highlights of the Museum and Historic District
Millville Army Air Field Museum
Preserves the history of Millville and its vital role as “America’s First Defense Airport.” During its four year history as a military facility, over 10,000 men and women served there and 1500 pilots received advanced gunnery training in P-40 Warhawk and P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. Exhibits, memorials and aircraft preserve the memory of service and sacrifice surrounding the facility at war.
Millville Airport Historic District
the Millville Airport Historic District boasts 100 WWII era buildings. 25 have been listed in the New Jersey Historic Register, including the original base headquarters building, two hangers, the base parade grounds, and the link trainer building.
Philadelphia Seaplane Base Museum
MAAFM acquired the Philadelphia Seaplane Base Museum in 2000. Artifacts dating from the early years of aviation, plus strong emphases on the use of seaplanes in the two World Wars, make this an important addition to the museum.
Millville Air Base Link Trainer Building
The original Millville Air Base Link Trainer Building contains one of only five fully operational Link Trainers in the world. Link Trainers were a series of flight simulators designed by Edward Albert Link and deployed from the 1930s to the early 1950s. The “Link” was the only tool available at that time to teach pilots how to fly, land, and perform combat missions, especially in poor visibility conditions.
WWII Observation Tower
The original airport gunnery range observation tower, which was moved to Mauricetown, NJ, following the base closure in 1946, was recently returned to Millville for inclusion in the museum.
Millville Wheels and Wings Airshow
The Millville Wheels and Wings Airshow is an (almost) annual event by and for the benefit of the Millville Army Air Field Museum. Check their website for dates and details of future airshows.
Henry E. Wyble Historic Research Library and Education Center
Offers a comprehensive collection of books, documents, videos, and artifacts available for research by appointment only. Housed in one of the Millville Airport historic buildings, it also displays unique collections of over 300 Barbie dolls and over 4000 Hot Wheels model cars.
Visiting the Millville Army Air Field Museum
MAAFM Address:
1 Leddon Street
Millville, NJ 08332
Telephone:
+1 (856) 327-2347
Email:
[email protected]
Open Hours:
10:00-16:00, Tuesday through Sunday.
Monday by appointment.
How Do I Get to MAAFM by car?
From Philadelphia, PA: Take NJ-55 S (New Jersey Turnpike South) for approximately 48.3 miles.
From New York, NY: Option 1: Take I-95 S to NJ-55 S for approximately 132.6 miles. Option 2: Take Garden State Pkwy S for approximately 146.1 miles. Option 3: Take US-202 S to NJ-55 S for approximately 151.7 miles.
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