Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington is open for business
In a word…”Wow!”
That was the immediate reaction from one visitor who recently toured the revitalized Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM), now operating out of Ellington Airport in Houston. The $38 million, 130,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility moved from Galveston’s Sholes Field and reopened for business in September 2017.
Katie Jackman, Chief Marketing Officer for LSFM, wholeheartedly concurs with that “wow” assessment.
“Most people are very pleasantly surprised at the rich variety of sights and artifacts and aviation adventures available here,” Katie said. “And to be so up close and personal with vintage and modern aircraft is not an everyday occurrence – the casual visitor can get engrossed in any number of areas. True aviation aficionados could literally take two days to get through everything we have to offer.”
Douglas H. Owens, retired Air Force Lieutenant General and museum CEO, said that most everyone who tours the museum leaves with a greater appreciation for the history of aviation – and for the future of flight. “Preserving historic aircraft and actively integrating a STEM education program is central to what we are doing here, but more importantly we connect history and science in a way that is fun and relevant.”
The LSFM offers a myriad of resources and viewing opportunities for visitors. The museum has a treasure trove of aviation memories on display with such gallery attractions as the Flight Academy, the Texas Aviation Heritage Gallery, and the outstanding Aircraft Collection. The Aircraft Collection is housed in two hangars and features more than 20 beautifully restored, historic aircraft including Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (one of only 10 remaining in the world that are airworthy), North American B-25 Mitchell, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, and many more.
The LSFM also features a historic warbird aircraft collection that still flies! Visitors can purchase flight experiences in a variety of vintage crafts.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame sits among the museum’s attractions as well and honors men and women who have left indelible impressions on Texas aviation and the aviation world. Luminaries include Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, African-American aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman, Howard Hughes, Tom Landry, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, astronauts Alan Bean and Gene Cernan; and airline greats Herb Kelleher and Gordon Bethune.
The museum also offers a veritable aviation playground for the young – and the young at heart. Its comprehensive education program and immersive aviation experience promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through dynamic programming and interactive experiences that include the Aviation Learning Center (ALC), classes, and field trips. Kids and adults alike have all been enthralled by the experiences. The ALC is the second of its kind in the U.S., and through a hands-on learning experience transports visitors into the unique energy and excitement of flight.
Field trips allow students to experience 26 hands-on interactives, two Hang Glider live action simulators, two hangars featuring a large collection of WWII trainer aircraft, to go on self-guided or docent lead tours, and to view hangar overlooks for a grand view of historic aircraft.
The museum has state-of-the-art facilities and rents space for weddings, conferences, meetings, reunions and other private events. Available spaces include classrooms, meeting spaces, hangars, and an executive boardroom with a great view of incoming and outgoing craft. More than 6,000 individuals and groups have scheduled time this year - from intimate events to grand galas!
The LSFM is simply chockful of memorabilia, artifacts, and opportunities to experience the magic of flight in a very special way. In Galveston, the museum received an average of 40,000 visitors each year and this year, it is on track to significantly exceed that average.
The museum sits on the grounds of 101-year-old Ellington Airport, a robust aviation hub that was recently designated as the country’s 10th Spaceport. Ellington Airport supports the operations of the U.S. military, NASA, and a variety of general aviation tenants. The airport is home to the annual Wings Over Houston Airshow and is resident to astronaut training.
The LSFM evokes a heartfelt “wow” as it seamlessly merges a remarkable, monumental past with an exciting future! Wow indeed!