Museum Guide News

Here in Lubbock, we have two amazing museums that showcase aspects of the City’s unique history: the Buddy Holly Center and the Silent Wings Museum. The Buddy Holly Center preserves and promotes the legacy of Buddy Holly and the music of West Texas, as well as provides exhibitions on contemporary visual arts and music for the purpose of educating and entertaining the public. Exhibitions, tours, concerts, classes and gallery talks are designed to cultivate an atmosphere where art and music are celebrated. The Buddy Holly Gallery features a permanent exhibit on the life and music of the Lubbock native and West Texas icon. Artifacts include Buddy’s Fender Stratocaster guitar and his famed horn-rimmed glasses, along with items from his youth and career. The Silent Wings Museum is located six miles north of the Buddy Holly Center and is adjacent to the Preston Smith International Airport. It is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to preserving the history of the WWII military glider program. The museum is home to one of the few accurately and completely restored CG-4A gliders left in the world. The exhibits focus on the airborne operations in which gliders were used, the training of the glider pilots and the technical history of the gliders themselves. The Buddy Holly Center and the Silent Wings Museum are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors are welcome to check out our websites for the most up-to-date information on admission prices, special events and holiday hours. https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/buddy-holly-center 806-775-3560  https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/silent-wings-museum 806-775-3049

In WHITTIER, AK, an important part of Alaskan history is now back in Alaska. The Prince William Sound Museum in Whittier, AK has accepted a 1939 Japanese machine gun — called a Nambu — used by Japanese military forces in the World War II Battle of Attu along the Aleutian Islands. Museum Director Ted Spencer said having the gun displayed at the military museum was a lifelong dream, but getting it there was quite a journey. It started with Lt. Colonel William Lucas, who led the charge to recapture Attu from the Japanese in 1943, earning a silver star in the process. The battle itself was bloody; the museum has the names of more than 500 American soldiers who died in the only World War II land battle to be fought on the North American continent. The Americans prevailed and the Japanese retreated, leaving some of their weapons behind. That, Spencer said, was how Lucas got the gun. It went with him to his home in Virginia where it stayed in a closet for nearly 80 years until it was eventually passed down to a granddaughter. “So, she contacted us and said, ‘Hey, would you like to have this gun for display?’ And of course, it was a big dream for me to have something from the battle of Attu,” Spencer said. But there were complications; because the machine gun had never been registered with the federal government, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wanted to melt it down. Elaina Spraker, a staffer with Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office, worked to convince the agency the gun was a historic relic. It eventually agreed to transfer ownership to the City of Whittier. Sullivan recently toured the Whittier Museum, seeing the gun for the first time in person. “To be able to have an original machine gun, [a] Japanese machine gun that was in that battle, you know we lost a lot of American service members,” Sullivan said. “To have that as a remembrance of the service and sacrifice — which is really what this museum is all about — it’s really powerful.” Here is a video link to more information on this Japanese Machine Gun - https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/08/14/wwii-japanese-machine-gun-battle-attu-is-returned-alaska/ Spencer said he hopes the gun will shed new light on a battle that many Americans are unfamiliar with. He called it an important piece of history in which Alaska played a vital role. To view and learn more about this extraordinary Japanese machine gun and other historic WWII exhibits and the role Whittier, AK played in the war, come visit the Prince William sound Museum and check us out online! https://www.pwsmuseum.org/  

The French Lick West Baden Museum, was established in 2007 for French Lick's 150th birthday! The museum began retelling the stories of our incredible towns as a pop-up museum. In 2011, we returned and in 2014 our current location was placed in the beautifully restored Dickason Building in downtown French Lick. Today, we continue to tell the incredible histories of our towns through impressive exhibits, interactive experiences, and first-person stories.  We feature two exhibits: The CASINO EXHIBIT- We were Vegas before there was a Vegas… despite the fact that gambling in Indiana was illegal. The Springs Valley boasted several documented casinos from the 1860's until 1949 when the state stopped looking the other way. You’ll see relics from those old casinos and learn about some of the characters who ran them. The CROSS EXHIBIT- Local artists Henry and Ferdinand Cross made and sold their work out of a place known as Cross Cave. Henry was a painter and Ferdinand was a stone carver. The Cross Brothers moved to southern Indiana in the mid-1800's and would gain national acclaim.  We have a display of Henry’s magnificent paintings and Ferdinand's spectacular Cross columns and fireplace; vivid examples of what Ferdinand could do with a chunk of raw limestone, working in a cave. And of course, you can’t come to French Lick and not know about LARRY BIRD! One of the greatest to play the game and is a home town boy.  Larry Bird, "The Hick From French Lick", starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. Over the course of his 13-year Hall of Fame career, the sharpshooting forward led the Celtics to three NBA titles and claimed three MVP awards. Visit us and discover how he got started. Come see our recent exhibit for limited time - When Governors Met in the Valley. Stories and artifacts from 1923 West Baden Springs Hotel, 1931 and 1971 French Lick Springs Hotel Governors Conventions.  We also are the Home of The World's Largest Circus Diorama!   So, we look forward to your visit, and to stepping back into history with us! https://www.flwbmuseum.com/  

The Pioneer Auto Show is the foremost family-friendly roadside attraction located off of I-90 and US-83 in Murdo, South Dakota. We are open 11 months out of the year, our unbeatable admission prices that allow you to explore our immense collection of antique cars, rare collectibles, precious antiques, tractors, motorcycles, and more. Come experience the most famous car museum in South Dakota! The Pioneer Auto Show was started in 1954 by AJ ‘Dick’ Geisler and his family. Since then, the Museum and Dick have been a single thought in the minds of the thousands of antique and classic car enthusiasts who have visited, and met the man with the ever-present cigar. Amassed over nearly 70 years, Pioneer Auto Show boasts the largest collection of classic cars in South Dakota in our antique car museum. From one-of-a-kind-rarities to familiar classic vehicles like the General Lee from the 60’s classic “Dukes of Hazzard,” (the last in existence). Pioneer Auto Show attracts visitors far and wide to peruse our spectacular display of automotive history, with rare cars on display from as long ago as 1903! Included with the admission is our self-guided Car Collection Tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience bursting at the seams with rich automotive history. No matter if you’re an automotive enthusiast or simply enjoy taking a step back in time, Pioneer Auto Show’s immense collection of rare, vintage and unique cars will make your jaw drop. Roam dozens of buildings filled with automotive relics from day's past in exceptional condition and see why Pioneer Auto Show is one of the most popular antique car museums in the world. Today, we’re one of the most famous antique car museums in the United States and a top destination for families looking for the best things to see in South Dakota. Come visit us this summer with the entire family!! You won’t be dissapointed! https://www.pioneerautoshow.com/  

The Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum located in Salmon, Idaho is the go-to place for education on the history of Lemhi County. The museum is known as “A River of History Connecting Past, Present, and Future” Lemhi County Historical Society was originally founded in the early 20th century to document the lives of early Lemhi County settlers. The Society was inactive between 1928 and 1956, at which point it reformed and began to grow its collection of artifacts. In 1963, the Lemhi County Museum was opened to display the series of items that had been collected over the course of decades. The museum to this day, contains a variety of historical exhibits centering around Salmon City and Lemhi County and is open year-round. The Lemhi County Historical Museum houses the largest extant collection of Lemhi Shoshone (Agai Dika) artifacts.  Clothing, beadwork, arrowheads, ceremonial accessories, and an extensive photograph collection detail the traditional lives of Sacajawea’s people.  The Museum also features the area’s history in mining ranching and logging. The museum is expanding and is opening an additional building for the river of history and research center. Our Summer Hours: (Memorial Day through September 30th) - Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Winter Hours - Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please see our website for more information and plan a visit soon - https://lemhicountymuseum.org/

The Museum at Warm Springs, in Warm Springs OR. is many things, not the least of which is a striking piece of architecture, a 25,000 square-foot structure that packs an emotional wallop all too seldom felt in contemporary public buildings. But most of all, perhaps, The Museum exists as an answer to a question that has troubled Native Americans in general, and The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in particular for most of the past century. Can this nation’s Indigenous peoples take any meaningful steps on their own initiative, under their own control to halt the erosion of their traditions, the dispersal of their sacred artifacts, the loss of their very identity as a culture? Chief Delvis Heath of the Warm Springs Tribe is a quiet man with a deeply lined face. “Way back in the 1960s,” the Chief laments, “We could see that the old ways were disappearing, the old language was disappearing, and pretty soon none of our young people would know where they came from or who they were. That’s when we decided to build a museum.” This was truly, a dream come true! The Museum at Warm Springs exists to preserve the culture, history and traditions of the three Tribes which comprise The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Museum was designed to provide a welcoming sight to the public as well as a safe conservatory for the traditional treasures of the Tribes. The Museum contains the Permanent Exhibit, a changing exhibit gallery, an exquisite gift shop, public restrooms, a library/archive, education room with cooking facilities, a conference/board room, artifact collection space and an office, a maintenance room and an administrative area. Just outside to the west, a small amphitheater is designed to be used for outdoor performances, demonstrations, and other public events. These galleries showcase tribal artifacts, but The Museum devotes as much to the cultural and historical record of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation as it does to their arts and crafts. “We wanted the museum to tell the story of our people,” explains Delbert Frank, Sr., President of The Museum’s Board of Directors in 1993 and an influential member of the Tribal Council. “We wanted it to tell the truth. To educate both the public and our own children. To tell them who we are.” We look forward to welcoming you this year - https://museum.warmsprings-nsn.gov/  

The Stuhr Museum is known for providing immersive historical, educational, and cultural experiences. The Museum is located in Grand Island, NE The Museum is a humanities organization that welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to pursue the story of our collective human experience. Your story is our history. We strive to collect and share the diverse perspectives of the past, connect them to the present, and create a more inclusive future. Our Founder Leo Stuhr was vitally interested in the history of Hall County, and was a founder of the Hall County Historical Society. In 1960, Stuhr announced that he would donate $25,000 and 35 acres of land on which to build a county museum, thus the beginning of the Stuhr Museum. As a humanities-based organization, the museum provides visitors with programming and activities that encourage understanding for one another and for their communities. For example, as visitors walk through our historic Railroad Town, they will talk with living historians who share their stories, as well as ways that the entire town works together in order to not just survive, but also thrive. Community is a central theme at the museum, as is evidenced not only by physical locations such as the town, but also groups such as the Railroad Town Sewing Society, a group of women that come together through shared interests. Stuhr Museum is fortunate to have a strong community of volunteers who give their time to help improve the visitor experience, help in the research department, and assist with various activities throughout the year. When you visit Stuhr Museum, you become part of our community, too, because we understand that history is ongoing, and your story is part of our history. We look forward to welcoming; please check us out online for more information:  https://stuhrmuseum.org/  

The Virginia Holocaust Museum, established in 1997, is dedicated to preserving the history of the Holocaust. Our museum honors the victims, celebrate the survivors, and strive to educate all our visitors about the dangers of prejudice and complacency to prevent such atrocities from happening again. We are proud to house and offer, the Dimensions in Testimony, https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/ which features four Holocaust survivors and one US Liberator with whom visitors can interact, ask questions, and hear their stories about topics like life before the war, hiding, experiences in concentration camps, life after the war, forgiveness, family, and more. The Dimension in Testimony is a collection from USC Shoah Foundation that enable people to have conversations with pre-recorded video images of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide - here is a link to featured survivors: https://www.vaholocaust.org/bios/ An initiative by USC Shoah Foundation to record and display testimony in a way that will preserve the dialogue between Holocaust Survivors and learners far into the future. Collaborating within the project are Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, with technology by USC Institute for Creative Technologies, and concept by Conscience Display. Funding for Dimensions in Testimony℠ was provided in part by Pears Foundation, Louis. F. Smith, Melinda Goldrich and Andrea Clayton/Goldrich Family Foundation in honor of Jona Goldrich, and Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Other partners include CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center. We welcome you to not only explore the Virginia Holocaust Museums various exhibits, but we especially look forward to showing you our Dimensions in Testimony collection - a must see!  https://www.vaholocaust.org/

The Western Railway Museum, in Suisun, CA preserves the heritage of the Northern California electric railroad.  We have over 50 historic cars on display, offer 50-minute scenic train rides and 22 acres to explore, the Western Railway Museum is ideal for families and group outings. The Museum features historic railway exhibits, vintage streetcar and interurban train rides, large shaded picnic grounds, a Museum Store, library archives, and Depot Cafe. Our 50-minute Interurban train rides will take you down the old Sacramento Northern Railroad, an electric line that once ran between San Francisco, Sacramento & Chico. The 11-mile round trip rolls through the Solano County countryside, with its pristine, unchanged farmland and its views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding Marshlands. Our operating fleet consists of trains dating anywhere from 80 to 110 years old.  Trains operate every weekend.  Walking around the Museum, you will be able to see trains that once ran in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Napa, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and many other places across the west. The Museum has several Carhouse buildings where trains are on display. A must see is our open air Carhouse 1, it houses historic streetcars from the local area, Many cars displayed in this building are nearing 100 years old. Our Carhouse 3 is our prized storage building, this indoor display building houses the pride of our collection.  On select days in the summer, the Museum is open for walking tours only. Guided tours of the Carhouses will be available at select times between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Guided tours of Carhouse 3 may be available upon request or by reservation. Make us a part of your visit to Solano County! The Museum is located about 1 hour from San Francisco or Sacramento and only 35 minutes from the Napa Valley. In the local area we have local attractions such as the Jelly Belly Factory and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for you and your family to visit, as well as areas to hike, bike, gourmet dining and wine tasting in the Suisun Valley All tickets for the 2025 season can be booked in advance or by calling our front desk at (707) 374-2978. Trains leave on time, so please plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your departure. Visit us online for more information: https://www.wrm.org/  

The Air Classics Museum of Aviation is a volunteer-run aviation museum located at the Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR) in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It is our mission to chronicle and preserve the critical role aviation has played throughout history and share this valuable information to the public through our unique exhibits, educational programs, and flight operations. We welcome you to view our collection of aircraft, vehicles, uniforms and other aviation memorabilia from the 1930s to the present time. Volunteer veterans offer guided tours of the aircraft located on-site and visitors are encouraged to sit in an A-7 flown in the Gulf War, as well as climb into the pilot's seat of an UH-1 Huey helicopter. Air Classics chronicles the critical role of aviation and teaches this to the general public and visitors to Chicagoland through its unique exhibits, educational programs, with volunteer opportunities. You won't be dissapointed with all the aviation history we house dating baking to 1930's! Come visit our museum from April – November in Sugar Grove, IL just outside of Chicago! https://airclassicsmuseum.org/