(BOWLING GREEN, Ky.) WDRB) -- A new museum is now open in Bowling Green, Kentucky celebrating the history of aviation.
Aviation Heritage Park (AHP) held its grand opening Saturday for its new museum on-site. It's a $2.5 million, 12,000 square foot facility.
Aviation Heritage Park Museum. Photo provided by Cara Pitchford with AHP.
"This project has taken almost three years, but we are finally realizing our dream," said park president Joe Tucker in a news release. "We broke ground in 2018, but, like everyone else, had to deal with a few roadblocks. All of that is behind us now, and we're genuinely excited to show our addition to the community."
Aviation Heritage Park has existed for years off Three Springs Road in Bowling Green. Past president and current board member, Bob Pitchford, told WDRB News the park formally opened in 2009 and has continued to grow. The museum is a major addition supporting the park's mission of sharing the stories of aviators -- and their ties to south central Kentucky -- with future generations.
"History. History. History," said Pitchford. "These are stories that we were afraid would be lost forever once the families grow up."
According to the park's website, the inside of the museum features rotating exhibits in the lobby. Exhibit space includes interactive and educational displays. There's also meeting rooms, office space, and a maintenance shop.
The site goes on to explain that outside of the museum, there are additional artifacts and a picnic/play area for families.
"I'm primarily a storyteller, and this rich history is both surprising and humbling. These stories must be preserved for future generations," said Executive Director, Bob Bubnis, in the release. "This is Phase One of the exhibits we're planning. This will show where we're headed, and what we hope to bring to our visitors."
Many who have previously visited Aviation Heritage Park are familiar with the outside displays of restored warbirds, each honoring a local pilot.
Saturday's grand opening included a flyover by the Tennessee Pterodactyls, a team of highly skilled Swift pilots with more than 68,000 flight hours amongst them, a ribbon cutting, and museum tours.
Pitchford said hundreds of people came to the event to celebrate, including family members of some of the honorees.
"We tell stories of aviators. All the other – it seems like to us – all the other aviation museums tell the story of machinery. Well tell the human side of aviation," he said.
AHP is open year round from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. free of charge. The museum inside the park is also free and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Groups are asked to schedule in advance by calling the museum at (270) 421-4885.
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