The museum’s 1929 Butler Blackhawk, the only airworthy example in the world, flew again for the first time in nearly 15 years on October 30, 2021. Pilot Andrew King snapped this beautiful shot over Brodhead Airport with a wing-mounted camera. The Blackhawk was restored by Kent & Don McMakin.

Happy Halloween! Here is a Travel Air in a costume: it’s the Wichita Fokker, just a Travel Air in a nifty paint job disguise for a Hollywood film. Come see this airplane’s remaining wing and learn about the history of Hollywood pilots, planes, and painted “costumes” at the museum! Open

At the Kelch Aviation Museum, we’ve had a skeleton resurface from Pietenpol past… WAIT… That’s just Boneita dropping in to say hi and share the Halloween spirit. Happy Halloween! We’re open 10 – 4 today and tomorrow! Boneita is waiting for you!

We love the paint job Winnie gave her plane! Our kids area is always chock-full of crafts, books, and coloring pages, free to enjoy for all ages. The museum is open 10am to 4pm today and all weekend. See you there!

The latest Airplanes with Ami video comes out this weekend! This time it features the Laird LCB, which is on display at the museum this winter. Come see it yourself – we’re open 10am to 4pm every day but Monday & Tuesday.

New arrival in the gift shop for autumn! Enjoy your favorite hot beverage in our new coffee mugs. Get them on your visit to the museum or order online here: https://www.kelchmuseum.org/product/coffee-mug/

Is it too cold to fly in an open cockpit today? Depends… For Wild Bill and the other airmail pilots, it was never too cold to fly. For board member Eric – well, he’s from Wisconsin, so probably the same answer! Swing by our (heated) hangar at the museum today!

Early USA trans-continental airmail route, circa 1924. Chicago was a central hub for mail flights! Which route would have delivered your mail? Visit the museum and check out our airmail display, featuring two original airmail planes. We’re open today 10am-4pm. Remember, we’re a non-profit supported entirely by people like you

This Aero Digest ad from 1926 humbly promotes how excellent their aircraft are. We tend to agree. Come see the Travel Airs on display at the museum – we’re open today 10am to 4pm! We’ve got a beautiful collection of original aviation magazines from the Golden Age – a treasure