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Posts tagged ‘Museum’

Dec 7

National WASP WWII Museum

From Carlsbad, I drove east several hours to the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Texas. This museum tells the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) program. In 1943 during World War II, the US Army took over Sweetwater Municipal Airport and made it the largest all-female training facility for pilots.

The women served a crucial homefront role, including the ferrying of aircraft, towing of gunnery targets, and transporting materiel.

The museum opened in 2005 and was expanded in 2021. I highly recommend a visit, even if it’s a bit out of your way.

Click any image to enlarge.

There are two hangars. The first contains several displays with information about the WASP program and a lot of personal memorabilia from women who served. A few years ago, I heard Dorothy Lucas (mother of a friend of mine) tell her story before she passed away in 2022 at the age of 99.

View of the inside of Hangar 1
Historical clothing collection
Display of photos and memorabilia from Dorothy Lucas

The second hangar contains four airworthy planes that represent the types of planes the WASP trained on during the war. This hangar also contains information about the everyday life as a WASP.

Boeing Stearman PT-17 Trainer
Cessna UC-78 Trainer
North American AT-6 “Texan” Trainer
Vultee BT-13 Trainer

Ah yes, the photo below reminds me that I had a 30 mph tailwind on my drive from Carlsbad. I drove through some small dust storms, and had to dodge hundreds of tumbleweeds along the highway. (I couldn’t avoid them all!)

The photo below shows the airport with the general aviation facilities in the distance. A west Texas storm is on its way.

Avenger Field, Sweetwater Texas, with a storm approaching from the west

Sep 4

July in Boston

I made a trip to Boston a few weeks ago, to visit some professors and other customers. (And a few friends.)

One evening, I was stuck in traffic, inching along next to Boston’s Museum of Science.  I decided to stop in for one very photography-related reason… because it was so heavily influenced by photographer, mountaineer, and cartographer Bradford Washburn, director of the museum for over 40 years.

If you look for it, you can find a small exhibit at the museum about Brad and Barbara Washburn.  I recommend finding it.

I also had the pleasure of being in Lowell, Massachusetts for one day of the Lowell Folk Festival. Wow, this was a great event, and I wish I could have stayed for the whole weekend. I heard several great bands, including The Steep Canyon Rangers, Plena Libre, The Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Bua, and others.

Here’s a photo of the main stage at the Lowell National Historical Park, with the Steep Canyon Rangers playing.

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They shut down several square blocks of downtown, and have a variety of stages with music going constantly.  And the food!  Lots of tents with a wide variety of good food.  If you’re near Lowell in late July, I highly recommend experiencing the festival.