Wichita Kansas
Kansas Aviation Museum
Spirits are attached to this old airport for a variety of reasons…
DESCRIPTION
The Kansas Aviation Museum is housed in the old Wichita Municipal Airport terminal building that opened as Wichita’s main airport in 1935. This museum holds many valued artifacts from its past, including forty vintage planes and “some of the oldest and rarest airplanes and engines in the US.”
According to their website, “The museum houses a world-class collection of historic, significant and one-of-a-kind aircraft and aircraft engines; a huge archive with thousands of records, schematics, books, photos and more; and a wide range of additional aviation memorabilia.”
The Kansas Aviation Museum has its own list of aviation notables, all listed in their Hall of Fame – “an impressive line-up of aviation heavyweights by any measure: state, national or worldwide.”
Tom and I were excited not only by the lovely architectural design of the museum buildings but also by all the exhibits and planes on display. The Airport buildings were built in the Art Deco style, and most of them have been restored inside.
The museum has strong ties to the community, drawing people and kids interested in taking their classes, hearing their lectures and benefitting from other educational opportunities and special events. To develop and continue to have community support is vital to the museum.
The museum makes further good use of their facilities by renting its space as a venue spot for weddings, receptions and special events.
The museum offers many volunteer opportunities for both weekday and weekend schedules. They provide training and materials to ensure that volunteers will have a successful and enjoyable volunteer experience.
HISTORY
In 1927, the city of Wichita bought 640 acres of buffalo grass sod on which to build their Municipal Airport. Though construction of the Administration building was started in 1930, money and workers for the airport itself were not available until 1934 when New Deal funds were allocated. The Wichita Municipal Airport was dedicated in 1935.
During the 1940s, it was one of the busiest airports in the country, with “a constant stream of incoming and outgoing commercial flights.” Besides civilian aviation uses, the War effort also made its mark here. A new wing was built onto each side of the original terminal. The military could supervise the airplanes being built just across the street at Boeing and the Spearman Company.
In 1951, the Air Force announced that they would build a new facility here, McConnell Air Force Base, that would be staffed by 6,000 personnel. They took over the airport for pilot training. The city of Wichita had to move their airport to a new location.
For thirty years, the Kansas National guard and the USAF used the administration building of the old airport. The building served the USAF as Building One of McConnell Air Force Base. Various halls and the old restaurant were revamped into office space.
When these buildings were no longer needed, the USAF moved out and locked the doors, in 1984. However, the terminal didn’t stand unwanted for long as the Wichita Aeronautical Historical Association (WAHA) was looking for a property to open their museum. The city of Wichita bought the property and by late 1988, leased it to WAHA. Their volunteers came in and went to work, making the building presentable as a museum!
Not wanting to rest on the status quo, the Wichita Aeronautical Historical Association set a new goal for itself: “to build an aircraft display facility to protect and display its priceless collection of preserved and meticulously restored aircraft,” and “to transform the interior of the historic terminal building into a center for aviation history, research and education to match its irreplaceable assets and to do justice to Wichita, the Air Capital of the World.”
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS
Tragedies associated with planes and other forms of transportation can cause spirits to want to attach themselves to them.
(Dayton Air Force Museum: Strawberry Bitch * Dayton Air Force Museum: Lady Be Good * Dayton Air Force Museum: Bockscar)
The Kansas Aviation Museum has on display some planes that have had fatal accidents.
For example, the Stearman Model 4D, Serial Number 4027. Or the “Junior Speedmail”, a bi-plane sold to the Texaco Company in 1931. It was flown by Texaco pilot J. D. “Duke” Jernigan on many assignments. Though I can’t find hard evidence that points to this particular plane, it is said by quite a few sources that Jernigan had an accident and died while flying. Maybe this happened around 1937, when Texaco sold this plane.
Other spirits who died in their planes may be here as well.
Places where soldiers’ or civilian remains were processed during wartime or non-wartime accidents often have some spirits who stick around, perhaps not ready to accept their deaths.
(USS Lexington * USS Iowa * Union Train Station at Ogden * USS Turner Joy)
The remains of soldiers killed in South Viet Nam were processed through here when this was a military airport.
When properties are restored or moved to a place of honor, they can draw back spirits who loved them while alive.
(Custer House * Henry Hill House * Geiser Grand Hotel * The Connecticut Colonial Foxhill Farm Parlor Room)
Past travelers, and past employees of this old airport can be drawn back by restoration efforts.
Kansas Aviation Museum volunteers took what was left of the Stearman Model 4D. These gifted workers miraculously put the meager parts together with the fuselage, forged new parts or traded for missing ones, and returned the plane to its original former glory, including its handsome original paint job.
“The four wings and wing center section, including hardware, ribs and spars were all built from scratch in our shop as well as the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The beautiful instrument panel, seats, all sheet metal, upholstery and furnishings were all fabricated in our shop. All of this was accomplished without factory drawings. Using dimensions from other Stearman Model 4’s under restoration, KAM volunteers re-created the necessary drawings. More than 9,000 KAM shop volunteer hours have been expended on this project.”
The spirit of J. D. “Duke” Jernigan, who loved this plane, must be ecstatic.
Other planes have been restored as well, pleasing other spirits who are connected to these planes
When items that were part of someone’s life are on display, spirits attached to these items (or who are mentioned in honorary displays) often like to come and visit.
(Speed Museum * Lilly Library, Indiana University * Redwood Library * Belcourt Castle)
There are a lot of exhibits here that apparently are of interest to spirits.
MANIFESTATIONS
Shadows and Apparitions
Have been seen wandering the halls and hanging around various exhibits.
Music and announcements from another era are heard by today’s staff and visitors.
Staff have heard happy murmurs, and the disembodied voices of cheerful folks looking forward to their plane rides.
Staff have heard doors slamming, perhaps from a frustrated spirit.
The Spirit of J. D. “Duke” Jernigan
Apparently he can’t resist enjoying the newly restored Stearman Model 4D, Serial Number 4027, a plane he enjoyed while alive.
He may have already been attached to the plane’s remains. He may enjoy sitting in the cockpit, remembering all the fine flying he did in this beautiful plane.
His spirit has been seen moving around the plane as well.
A Male Spirit in a 1940s Hat
He may be attached to something on display, or to the airport building itself. A former employee or former traveler.
Apparently, his spirit wants attention from the living. He has appeared and disappeared in front of visitors and staff.
STILL HAUNTED?
A Big Yes Indeed! Apparently, both spirits and people are enjoying the restored terminal and all the great exhibits. Others are working out feelings, or reliving all the good times they had while in this world. Since the museum has opened, many people have had the experiences listed above. Hard evidence has been caught by groups like Kansas White Noise Paranormal.
LOCATION
3350 George Washington Blvd.
Wichita, KS 67210
The Kansas Aviation Museum is located across the street from Boeing Aircraft and is surrounded by The McConnell Air Force Base.
SOURCES INCLUDE
- https://www.roadsideamerica.com
- http://kansasaviationmuseum.org/about/history-of-the-building/
- http://www.kake.com
- http://www.antiqueairfield.com
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KUon1V-mUk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnkrKqPaKko
- http://www.historynet.com/a-stearman-is-reborn.htm
Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr
Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr
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