The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum Complex preserves history, educates and honors those in
uniform who serve and have served.
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum front entrance
Merry Christmas from the
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum Volunteer Staff
Museum
Location:
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum is located near the control tower across
the street from the F4C Phantom Jet Fighter static display at the Columbus
Indiana Municipal Airport, the former location of the Atterbury Army Air Field
and Bakalar Air Force Base.
The
Jeanne Lewellen Norbeck Memorial Chapel is part
of the Museum complex on the Airport property at the corner of Middle Road and
Grissom Streets. The Chapel is available for tour by special request only.
Bakalar Green is located between the control tower and rotating beacon.
Columbus, Indiana tower frequency 118.6. Runways 14-32
5000 ft X 100 ft, 5-23 6401 ft X 100 ft. The museum is just a few steps from the
ramp and control tower.
The
museum's open hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10AM-2PM and
Saturday 10AM-4PM, Closed Sunday and Monday. Special tours may be scheduled during regular open hours or
other than regular open hours by contacting the museum.
The museum's annual winter closing for gallery
updates and maintenance is December 21, 2008, reopening Tuesday March 3, 2009.
Special tours may be scheduled during this time.
Mission
Statement: "The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum is
dedicated to the memory of all military and civilian personnel who served in any
capacity in the wars and conflicts from 1942 to 1970. It serves to recall events
of WWII, The Korea, Cuban and Vietnam conflicts which touched many of our lives."
The history, photos and personal stories of those
who served are here for you to see and read. Learn about the World War II Glider
pilots, The Tuskegee Airmen, 2466th, 434th, 71st Special Operation Squadron in
Vietnam, the base, the leaders, the airmen, the equipment, the aircraft and
The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame™
Snapshot in time: December
1953 Christmas festivities at the Atterbury Air Force Base Columbus, Indiana
Atterbury
Air Force Base Airmen gather around the Christmas Tree at the Headquarters
Christmas Party December 23, 1953. L to R Sgt. Zondilak, Colonel Hamilton
Major Tilman, Major Drane, Sgt. Gilsenan, Sgt Vandermay and Sgt Whitehead kneeling in front. Thanks to the Alberta Abraham collection we were
able to identify the airmen. Photo two is Betty Pottorff, Joann
Mitchell and Alberta Abraham also December 23, 1953. Alberta
was the base commander's secretary.
One of Billboard's Pop Hits of December 1953 was "Santa
Baby" by Eartha Kitt.
Click on photos for full size viewing
Did you or a family member celebrate a Christmas at
Atterbury Army Air Field, Atterbury Air Force Base or Bakalar Air Force Base?
Let us know if you did.
The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum hosts the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans
and Walk of Honor information.
To schedule a
tour: Call the Museum (812) 372-4356 or E-mail us.
Museum Volunteers:
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
and the Jeanne Lewellen Norbeck Memorial Chapel is staffed by
volunteers called the 95ers. This group is composed of Veterans, former
base service members, and citizens who maintain the museum and Chapel.
The
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum web site contains many historical photographs
and may require a little download time but is well worth the wait. The
photographs help tell the story of the former air base and those who served. If
you have artifacts, photographs or historical documents you wish to share with
the museum, please let us know.
Museum Contact Information
Board of Directors:
President: Gordon Lake, Vice President: Glenn Leonhart, Treasurer: Wendell Ross,
Secretary: John Walter, Member Aviation Board: Dana Herr (Aviation Board
President), Member: Jim Sellars, Member: James Porter, Curator: Bob Henry
- Telephone
-
812 372-4356
- Postal address
-
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
- 4742 Ray Boll Boulevard
- Columbus, Indiana
47203
-
- Webmaster: Gordon Lake, 1SG Army (Ret.)
-
lakegc@aol.com
