As I’ve perused the Tyler Directory I’ve been reminded of one particular fact about our fair city: we have a ton of restaurants. In fact Tyler is often accused by out of towners of being concerned largely with its collective stomach. While conceding that Tylerites do indeed love good food, I contend that buffets & bistros are not our only passions. There are also hospitals, churches, & private schools. So as a history teacher myself; I thought I’d focus on a local historical & cultural landmark.
The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum is now located in the old Tyler Pounds field terminal. There are really two parts to the museum. The first part is the indoor section. It is packed with pictures, models & artifacts of both military & civilian aircraft. There are flags & uniforms from every major air force going back to the First World War. Some of the pieces are quite personal. Photos, letters & newspaper clippings of World War II pilots connect the visitor to another age. A Japanese flag carried by a kamikaze pilot & signed by his comrades hangs on the wall under glass.
The Museum also focuses on the contributions of East Texans to America’s war efforts over the last century. I should add that the newest acquisition is an actual moon rock on loan from the Johnson space center.
The outdoor portion of the museum features about ten restored Vietnam & Korean War era aircraft. These aircraft some of which actually saw combat now sit in quiet retirement & serve to fascinate visitors, (including my little boy).
The staff of the museum seems genuinely more concerned with the preservation of the history they oversee than marketing the institution. Educating the young visitors is more important then advertising. As someone who loves the experience of visiting museums & historical sites, I can say that we are privileged to have such a wonderful archive in our own backyard. I’m certain that my son & I (& my history class) will be visiting repeatedly in the near future.