Mission
The mission of the Yankee Air Museum is to educate and engage people about American aviation, aerospace technology, and Historic Willow Run. The organization offers a combination of educational programs, exhibits, and hands-on opportunities to interact with real aircraft, in order to reach audiences of all ages. The history and technology of American aviation are highlighted with emphasis on the fascinating technological advances in aviation manufacturing and operation that originated in Michigan between 1940 and today.
History
The Story of the Yankee Air Museum
The Yankee Air Museum has been a great influence in the world of aviation throughout Southeast Michigan for decades. Founded in 1981, the Museum quickly grew when it acquired its flyable aircraft, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, and C-47 Skytrain, offering the public the chance to fly in some of America’s most iconic aircraft. The Museum was originally located on the very North-East side of the Willow Run Airport until it suffered a devastating fire in 2004. While most everything was destroyed, a few aircraft such as the B-17, C-47, B-25, and B-52, among others were moved to safety.
The Museum re-opened to the public in 2010 in a new location just yards away from the original. The Museum has 47,000 sq. ft. that houses its collection of permanent and rotating aviation and historic displays as well as over 5,000 artifacts. In 2010, a school house that was used during World War Two was donated and relocated next to the Museum and has become the Museum’s research library.
