The James Rogers McConnell Air Museum is an aviation museum located at the Gilliam-McConnell Airfield in Carthage, North Carolina focused on aviation in World War I.
  Location within North Carolina | |
| Established | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Location | Carthage, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°20′12″N 79°26′15″W / 35.3366°N 79.4375°W |
| Type | Aviation museum |
| Founder | Roland Gilliam |
| Website | www |
History edit
Background edit
Roland Gilliam purchased 120 acres (0.49 km2) acres near Carthage, North Carolina and began building Gilliam-McConnell Airfield in 1989.[1][a] The airport was completed in 1994 when the 2,500 ft (760 m) runway was paved. It was followed by the construction of several houses and the opening of a restaurant in 2008.[2][b]
Establishment edit
After learning about James Rogers McConnell, a North Carolina pilot killed in World War I, Gilliam was motivated to establish the museum in Fall 2013.[3][4] It opened ten years later on 23 September 2023.[5][6]
The museum received a donation of over 2,500 model airplanes in 2019.[7]
Exhibits edit
An airport beacon is on display at the museum.[8]
Collection edit
- Aero Commander 500[9]
- Curtis P-40 Warhawk – replica[9]
- Grumman OV-1 Mohawk[4]
- Nieuport XI – 7/8 scale replica[9]
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a – 7/8 scale replica[9]
References edit
Footnotes edit
- ^ The airport was sold to Dr. Rick Hilliard in 2021.[1]
- ^ The restaurant was set up in a building salvaged from Sandhills Community College.[1]
Notes edit
- ^ a b c Douglass, Laura (3 February 2021). "Carthage Airfield Set to Exchange Hands". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Walker, Bill (11 March 2010). "A Dream Realized". General Aviation News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "About the Museum". James R. McConnell Air Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b Holland, Grace (10 November 2023). "New Carthage Air Museum Honors Past, Present Veterans of the Sky". WRAL News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Lukow, Dave (29 September 2023). "Air Museum Opens Doors in Carthage". Sandhills Sentinel. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Emilee (27 September 2023). "After Years of Collecting, Carthage Air Museum Takes Off". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Baxley, Jaymie (25 June 2019). "Over 2,500 Model Planes Donated to Carthage Air Museum". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Misegades, Kent (5 November 2013). "Original Airway Tower Erected at Gilliam-McConnell". General Aviation News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Museum Exhibits". James R. McConnell Air Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2024.