New Board Member – Ann-Marie Elmer

We’re pleased to welcome Ann-Marie Elmer as our newest board member for the Kelch Aviation Museum! Ann-Marie grew up in Brodhead and has a longstanding connection to local aviation. Her father, Frank Gombar, was a founding member of Brodhead’s EAA Chapter 431, and both her parents were pilots. She recalls

Continue reading

Light Reading

Some light reading in the office today…

Continue reading

Artwork Hanging Team

Museum volunteers (Team Joe & Jeff) are hanging artwork inside the main hangar today. Only 200 more paintings and photos to go, guys!

Continue reading

Phase II Building Frame

The steel erecting crew from Caliber Construction is working on our Phase II building this week. It’s starting to take shape!

Continue reading

If You Can Drive a Car…

No word on how successful this ad campaign was…

Continue reading

The New building Has Arrived

Just in time for 2021, our Phase II building has arrived! The crew today is unloading the steel support beams from Varco-Pruden Buildings in nearby Evansville. Construction starts next week! OUR CHALLENGE GRANT ENDS TODAY! Every donation made before midnight tonight (even pledges) will be matched dollar for dollar from

Continue reading

Display Cabinet

This beautiful oak display cabinet was custom-built by Rick Hanson of Fox Lake, Illinois for the Kelch Aviation Museum. Delivered today from Rick’s shop, it will be the first thing you see when you enter the museum hangar once we open to the public, with an arched “Welcome to…” sign

Continue reading

Aircraft with Ami – Curtiss-Wright 12W Virtual Tour

The latest in our continuing series of virtual aircraft tours. Join Collections Manager, Ami Eckard-Lee as she introduces us to the museum’s rare 1932 Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 12W.

Continue reading