Celebrating ‘American Aviation’
Annual Beech Party features new exhibit
“It’s time to tell not only the Beechcraft story, but our American aviation history story beginning in 1891 with the birth of Walter Beech in Pulaski, Tennessee,” said Jody Curtis, executive vice president. “We will have six 8-feet by 5-feet panels depicting our history, including the beginning of the Travel Air Company, the Beech Aircraft Company, the life and accomplishments of Louis Thaden, the Staggerwing Foundation, the genealogy of Beechcraft, and our Heritage Museum.”
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum was originally founded as the Staggerwing Museum Foundation in 1973 and became the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in 2007. John and Charlotte Parish donated the land near their farm and the airport for what would become the campus-like setting of the museum. Its 60,000 square feet of aviation memorabilia and aircraft is lovingly maintained by the Parish family, with son Charles Parish as its president. From the gleaming hardwood floors in the lobby to its artful and thoughtful exhibits, the polished-to-perfection Beech 18 and the gleaming red G17S Staggerwing, the Beechcraft Heritage Museum is a treasure.
Multiple hangars house 37 significant aircraft including the first Staggerwing produced, serial number 1. Although some of the historic aircraft still fly, most of the restored airplanes gleam in show-stopping displays throughout the museum. The Staggerwing is called the Cadillac of the Sky for good reason; it debuted in 1932 and was designed for high-speed, luxurious travel. It is one of the most iconic airplanes ever built. Many of its pilots had an affection for the aircraft and established The Staggerwing Club, which later became the Staggerwing Museum Foundation and then the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. John and Charlotte Parish donated the land near their farm and the airport for what would become the campus-like setting of the Beechcraft Heritage Museum.
The ribbon-cutting for the new exhibit will take place on Friday, October 10.
“Our museum has gone beyond being the vault of the Beechcraft brand to being a rich part of our American aviation history,” said Curtis. 
beechcrafthm.orgOn 775 acres, Tullahoma Regional Airport/William Northern Field (THA) has four runways (two paved, two turf), more than 170 based aircraft, and 30,000 flight operations each year. Originally Camp Forrest, a World War II training facility, pilots were taught to fly the B–24 Liberator here. Camp Forrest became a prisoner of war camp, and both Camp Forrest and William Northern Field were declared surplus after the war. Arnold Air Force Base was established on nearby land in 1950 as an engineering development center named for Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold. Three-time Tullahoma mayor John W. Harton Sr. saw the town’s decision not to buy the surplus William Northern Field as a mistake and purchased the land himself, believing the future of Tullahoma depended on a regional airport. His foresight ensured Tullahoma would have this exemplary general aviation airport there today.
Related Articles
