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James Rogers McConnell Air Museum

Coordinates: 35°20′12″N 79°26′15″W / 35.3366°N 79.4375°W / 35.3366; -79.4375
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James Rogers McConnell Air Museum
James Rogers McConnell Air Museum is located in North Carolina
James Rogers McConnell Air Museum
Location within North Carolina
Established2013 (2013)
LocationCarthage, North Carolina
Coordinates35°20′12″N 79°26′15″W / 35.3366°N 79.4375°W / 35.3366; -79.4375
TypeAviation museum
FounderRoland Gilliam
Websitewww.moorecountyairmuseum.org

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.

History

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Background

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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

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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

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An airport beacon is on display at the museum.[8]

Collection

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References

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ The airport was sold to Dr. Rick Hilliard in 2021.[1]
  2. ^ The restaurant was set up in a building salvaged from Sandhills Community College.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Douglass, Laura (3 February 2021). "Carthage Airfield Set to Exchange Hands". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  2. ^ Walker, Bill (11 March 2010). "A Dream Realized". General Aviation News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  3. ^ "About the Museum". James R. McConnell Air Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Holland, Grace (10 November 2023). "New Carthage Air Museum Honors Past, Present Veterans of the Sky". WRAL News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  5. ^ Lukow, Dave (29 September 2023). "Air Museum Opens Doors in Carthage". Sandhills Sentinel. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  6. ^ Phillips, Emilee (27 September 2023). "After Years of Collecting, Carthage Air Museum Takes Off". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  7. ^ Baxley, Jaymie (25 June 2019). "Over 2,500 Model Planes Donated to Carthage Air Museum". The Pilot. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  8. ^ Misegades, Kent (5 November 2013). "Original Airway Tower Erected at Gilliam-McConnell". General Aviation News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Museum Exhibits". James R. McConnell Air Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
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