The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum Complex preserves history, educates and honors those in
uniform who serve and have served.
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum was
dedicated November 11, 1992
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum front entrance
view and the F-4 you see out the museum front windows.
Museum
Location:
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum is located near the control tower across
the street from the F4C Phantom Jet Fighter static display at the Columbus
Indiana Municipal Airport, the former location of the Atterbury Army Air Field
and Bakalar Air Force Base.
Columbus, Indiana tower frequency 118.6. Runways 14-32
5000 ft X 100 ft, 5-23 6401 ft X 100 ft. The museum is just a few steps from the
ramp and control tower.
The
Jeanne Lewellen Norbeck Memorial Chapel is part of the Museum complex on
the Airport property at the corner of Middle Road and Grissom Streets. The
Chapel is available for tour by special request only. Bakalar Green is located
between the control tower and rotating beacon.
The
museum open hours are: Tuesday through Friday 10AM to 2 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4
PM, closed Sunday and Monday. Free admission to the museum but donations
are welcome. You may schedule special tours other than regular open hours by
calling the museum. Museum phone 812-372-4356
Mission
Statement: "The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum is
dedicated to the memory of all military and civilian personnel who served in any
capacity in the wars and conflicts from 1942 to 1970. It serves to recall events
of WWII, The Korea, Cuban and Vietnam conflicts which touched many of our lives."
The history, photos and personal stories of those
who served are here for you to see and read. Learn about the World War II Glider
pilots, The Tuskegee Airmen, 2466th, 434th, 71st Special Operation Squadron in
Vietnam, the base, the leaders, the airmen, the equipment, the aircraft and
The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame™
Snapshot in time:
1 July 1988 Columbus Municipal Airport, former Bakalar Air
Force Base and Atterbury Army Air Field gets delivery of an F-4C.
The F-4 Phantom displayed on
Bakalar Green was delivered to Columbus Municipal Airport by CH54 Sky Crane
1 July 1988. The Sky Crane heavy lift military helicopter belonged to
Company H, 104th Aviation "Heavy Haulers" Army National Guard from Harrisburg,
PA. The F-4 was donated by the Indiana Air National Guard from Hulman
Field, Terre Haute, Indiana. Thanks to Jim Alvis, Museum Volunteer for these
historical photographs.
Some of the top hits during July
of 1988: "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson, "Where Do Broken
Hearts Go" by Whitney Houston and "Anything For You" by Gloria Estefan & Miami
Sound Machine.
Museum and Chapel Open
House Saturday October 9, 2010 10AM-4PM
►Tour
the preserved 1942 building T-48 converted to the air base chapel during
the Korean War and the museum gallery displays. Learn the rich history of the
former air base from our volunteers.
►View
the "Lest We Forget" documentary in the museum's Media Center and meet Gustav
Pothoff a WWII POW survivor of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai and Death
Railway.
Click on this link to learn more.
►Book
signings by museum volunteer John Walter and his "My War" The True Experiences
of a US Army Air Force Pilot in WWII and "Broken Wings by Robert Kelly, The Rise
and Fall of the Greatest Air Amada.
The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum hosts the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans
and Walk of Honor information.
To schedule a
tour: Call the Museum (812) 372-4356 or E-mail us.
Museum Volunteers:
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
and the Jeanne Lewellen Norbeck Memorial Chapel is staffed by
volunteers called the 95ers. This group is composed of Veterans, former
base service members, and citizens who maintain the museum and Chapel.
The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum web site contains many historical photographs
and may require a little download time but is well worth the wait. The
photographs help tell the story of the former air base and those who served. If
you have artifacts, photographs or historical documents you wish to share with
the museum, please let us know.
Museum Contact Information
Board of Directors:
President: Gordon Lake, Vice President: Glenn Leonhart, Treasurer: Wendell Ross,
Secretary: John Walter, Member Aviation Board: Richard P. Gaynor, Member: Jim Sellars, Member: James Porter.
- Telephone
-
812 372-4356
- Postal address
-
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
- 4742 Ray Boll Boulevard
- Columbus, Indiana
47203
-
- Webmaster: Gordon Lake, 1SG AUS (Ret.)
-
lakegc@aol.com
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- Copyright Notice:
All graphic, images, and content are the property of the
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum. All rights reserved. No form of
reproduction, including copying or saving of digital image files, the
alteration, or manipulation of image files is authorized. For
information about research, educational, commercial or personal uses,
contact the museum at the above address, E-mail or phone.
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