Museum Guide

At the Richard I. Bong Museum, experience “Marge,” our beautifully restored P-38 Lightning, stand beside our M60 tank, and enjoy the scenic hiking trail just beyond our grounds. Step into history and immerse yourself in powerful, firsthand accounts from veterans spanning World War II to today. The Real Top Gun- Born in Superior, Wisconsin, Dick Bong rose to national prominence as America’s greatest fighter ace. During World War II, he shot down 40 enemy aircraft in the Pacific Theater, securing his place in history. Discover the life, courage, and legacy of this remarkable young man.  Plan Your Visit- Join us for guided or self-guided tours and connect with the history that shaped our world. Walk with heroes—visit today. More than a museum, we are a living tribute to those who served, both on the front lines and the home front. Meet our volunteers, hear their stories, and leave inspired. We host a variety of veteran-focused programs throughout the year, including a Boundary Waters retreat, the service of over 300 Thanksgiving meals annually, and commemorative events for major military holidays. Our outreach extends into the community through veteran-led presentations and demonstrations at schools and organizations. Our educational programs welcome students from across northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, offering hands-on learning through authentic artifacts and direct engagement with veteran experiences. When schools can’t come to us, we bring history to them. Beyond our local impact, we are committed to a global mission. Mission Marge, launched in 2024, began as an effort to locate Dick Bong’s P-38, “Marge,” which crashed in Papua New Guinea. Since discovering the site, we have worked to honor its historical significance while expanding humanitarian efforts in nearby communities. We look forward to welcoming you any time of the year!  https://bongcenter.org/  

The Grissom Air Museum rich in history is located, near Peru, Indiana. The museum was founded in 1981, by seven prior service military personnel who lived in the area. The Heritage Museum Foundation (HMF) wanted to preserve aircraft that were currently located at Grissom Air Reserve Base, formerly Grissom Air Force Base. The HMF started the Grissom Air Museum in 1982 outside of what then was the main gate of Grissom Air Reserve Base. Prior to May 12, 1968, the base was known as Bunker Hill Air Force Base before it was renamed Grissom AFB in honor of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Indiana native and the second American astronaut into space. He perished in the Apollo I fire on Jan. 27, 1967. Former home of the 305th Bomb Wing (BW) and the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) and is now proud to be the home of the 434th Air Refueling Wing. The Grissom Air Museum currently offers 29 aircraft and 4 trainers. While you are at the museum, sit in an F-4 Phantom, H1-Huey Helicopter, and look at a complete Link Trainer used in WWII, the Gen. William Kepner & Gus Grissom Exhibit, and more. Check out the history of the military base that started in 1954 as the Bunker Hill Air Force Base. Then head outside to 28 military aircraft that served from WW II through Today! Visit the museum when we have our Warbird Cruise-In Car Show or any other one of our events. You are encouraged to take photos of your experiences.  The museum is handicap accessible. RV and bus parking are available on the museum premises. Special admission pricing is available for groups of 15 or more guests. Contact us today to learn more about all the exciting possibilities at Grissom Air Museum. (765) 689-8011 and visit us at: https://www.grissomairmuseum.com/home/welcome  

The Stuhr Museum is known for providing immersive historical, educational, and cultural experiences. The Museum is located in Grand Island, NE The Museum is a humanities organization that welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to pursue the story of our collective human experience. Your story is our history. We strive to collect and share the diverse perspectives of the past, connect them to the present, and create a more inclusive future. Our Founder Leo Stuhr was vitally interested in the history of Hall County, and was a founder of the Hall County Historical Society. In 1960, Stuhr announced that he would donate $25,000 and 35 acres of land on which to build a county museum, thus the beginning of the Stuhr Museum. As a humanities-based organization, the museum provides visitors with programming and activities that encourage understanding for one another and for their communities. For example, as visitors walk through our historic Railroad Town, they will talk with living historians who share their stories, as well as ways that the entire town works together in order to not just survive, but also thrive. Community is a central theme at the museum, as is evidenced not only by physical locations such as the town, but also groups such as the Railroad Town Sewing Society, a group of women that come together through shared interests. Stuhr Museum is fortunate to have a strong community of volunteers who give their time to help improve the visitor experience, help in the research department, and assist with various activities throughout the year. When you visit Stuhr Museum, you become part of our community, too, because we understand that history is ongoing, and your story is part of our history. We look forward to welcoming; please check us out online for more information:  https://stuhrmuseum.org/