The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum Complex preserves history, educates and honors those in
uniform who serve and have served. The
museum was
dedicated November 11, 1992. Celebrating our 20th anniversary year preserving
base history 1992-2012.
The
museum
is closed for winter maintenance and gallery updates. Special tours and media center programs may
still be scheduled. There is no admission charge to visit the museum.
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum front entrance
and F-4 Phantom and control tower winter view.
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.
Bakalar Green as seen from the F-4 static display in
front of the museum looking south to the rotating beacon.
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.
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."
"Life is pretty when you are
free." Gustav Potthoff, former WWII POW and museum volunteer.
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™
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 and maintained by
all volunteers. 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.
Snapshot in time:
Winter 1944-1945 Tuskegee Airman B-25 Bomber Pilots at the Atterbury Army Air Field
Columbus, Indiana.
The Tuskegee Airman of the 618th & 619th Bomb
Squadrons of the 477th Bomb Group served at the Atterbury Army Air Field in
Columbus, Indiana flying their B-25 Bombers. Pictured is one of the Tuskegee
Airman crews next to their Mitchell B-25 Bomber on the ramp at the air field.
Also pictured is the historical marker dedicated to the Tuskegee Airman located on Bakalar Green at the former Army Air Field.
Where were you in the winter of '44 &
'45? Were you or a family member stationed at
Atterbury Army Air Field ? Share your photos and story of that time with us.
(The museum is looking for more photos, movies, uniforms and artifacts of the
Tuskegee Airman that served at the air field.)
Some of the #Top Hits of that winter were
"Don't Fence Me In" by Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The
Positive" by Johnny Mercer, "Rum And Coca-Cola" by Andrews Sisters, and "Don't
Fence Me In" by Sammy Kaye.
Museum Contact Information
Board of Directors:
President: James Sellars, Vice President: Jim Reid, Treasurer & Past
President: Wendell Ross,
Secretary & Past President: Gordon Lake, Member Aviation Board: Richard P.
Gaynor, Member: Nick Firestone, 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 graphics, 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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