The mission of the Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation is to rehabilitate Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport in Cape May County, New Jersey, into an aircraft museum remembering the Navy servicemen who perished while training during World War II. In September of 1997, Hangar #1 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. On April 1, 1943, the Naval Air Station (NAS) Wildwood was commissioned. From 1943 until 1945, the location was used as a dive-bomber squadron training center.
TBM Avengers, Douglas Dauntlesses, Vought Corsairs, and Curtiss Helldivers were among the aircraft stationed at NAS Wildwood. During World War II, 42 airmen died while training at NAS Wildwood. The NASW Foundation bought Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport in June 1997. The all-wooden edifice, which spanned 92,000 square feet, was in desperate need of repair. The hangar was placed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places at the National Significance Level under the management of the NASW Foundation. The NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum today has over 26 aircraft on display, as well as military memorabilia, engines, pictures, and other exhibits.
The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has also donated a number of interactive displays to NAS Wildwood, allowing visitors to learn about the science of flying. A library, a food vending area, and a substantially enlarged gift shop are also available at the museum. Fly-ins, aviation festivals, big band concerts, swing dances, veterans’ ceremonies, historical lectures, school field excursions, and senior tours are just a few of the events that the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum provides on a regular basis as part of its position as a community resource.
Membership Benefits:
- Free, unlimited admission to the museum for one year
- 10% discount in the museum gift shop
- A subscription to the museum’s print newsletter, The Osprey
- A collectible challenge coin
- Advance invitations and reduced admission to special events
Membership Categories:
- Student – $25
- Individual – $35
- Family – $60
- Friend – $80
- Patron – $100
- Advocate – $250
- Benefactor – $500
- Visionary – $1,000
Spend your special day in the museum’s World War II-era hangar, surrounded by aviation history! They provide numerous alternatives for on-site ceremonies and receptions as one of the most distinctive wedding locations in Southern New Jersey:
- Set-ups for both indoor and outdoor events
- Backdrops of historic airplanes
- 300+ persons may be accommodated
- Photographic possibilities are available both inside and outside the hangar.
- The rental cost includes free seating configurations.
The NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum displays a diverse collection of antique aircraft and artifacts for public pleasure and education.
Aircraft with propellers
Many people see these legendary planes as symbols of the courage of both aviation pioneers and the first military pilots. Given that the museum is housed in a World War II hangar, it’s only natural that many of their propeller planes had a similar past. In its collection of approximately 20 aircraft, the museum is pleased to boast both a TBM Avenger and an F6F-3 Hellcat.
The museum is home to a number of displays that were created by hand and include unique objects. Visit their 1940s room to get an idea of what life was like during World War II, or climb inside an actual air traffic control tower to get a feel for the atmosphere. It is highly recommended that you pay many visits to the museum since the displays are always being modified and improved.