Aviation Cadet Museum, Eureka Springs, AR - Museum

In Eureka Springs, AR, stands a tribute to the many thousands of men who were trained near there and flew the military's planes of many wars. The Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs, AR, contains many exhibits that point to the history of those cadets who learned to fly here.

Cadets would come from all over to the area to learn to fly. At the same time, they were also being trained to be officers. They would become part of the Army Air Corps, which is what the Air Force was called in those days.

The training program was started in 1917, and nearly all of the men who flew in the military were trained here. Many pilots who were in the armed services of our Allies were also trained here. Altogether there were 325,000 men who had completed the program. The last pilot to go through and complete the training was graduated in 1961; then, he finally retired from the military as recently as 1998.

The museum was opened by Beth and Errol Severe. He had been trained at the Vance Air Force Base nearby and was a pilot, flying on the KC-97 tankers. He had also flown as officer and ultimately as captain of commercial airliners. He retired in 1985. Errol has also written a book about the pilot training program called "The Last of a Breed.''

Currently, the museum is undergoing a large expansion project, which will bring in a lot more exhibits and activities. Money is being collected to be able to greatly enlarge the facilities so that visitors can actually experience what it was like to live in the training school. They are open now for visitors.

Recently, the ground was broken for a new 15,000 square foot hanger, which will provide displays of the "Air War in Vietnam." Its goal is to make the visitors actually feel as if they were there. In this hangar, there will also be some real planes of that era - an F-100-F, an F-105-G, and a Marine Corps F-5, which is already part of the museum. A simulator will also add to the experience, which visitors will be able to fly.

The museum is located on the only public use airport in the area, the Silver Wings Field. It is still active and visitors can even fly in if they want.

For those who want a little time to get away and still come to the airport, the Severe's have a bed and breakfast on the property. Beth has been an author, songwriter, playwright - and an excellent cook. They live on a 220-acre estate that will provide some opportunity for walking around the property, hunting game (in season only), and even some cave exploring - all of which are on the property. You can make a visit to Eureka Springs to get away from it all and enjoy the quiet.

When you do go by the Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs, AR, be sure to allow several hours to see everything that is there. There is also a T-29 exhibit that can be walked through, and much more. On occasion, the Severe's have held a reunion here and you may want to know when the next one will be.