Brand New Merchandise Coming Soon

We’ve got some cool new merchandise coming to our shop – including this museum-team designed airmail tote bag! Check it out at our grand opening on July 23rd. Some things are limited edition, so get them while you can!

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We Reached Our Goal!

We did it! We raised $2,835 for the Independence Week challenge! We’ll receive $2,500 in matching funds from our wonderful Wisconsin donor. That’s $5,335! URGENT UPDATE: Our donor was so happy who everyone who joined in that he offered an additional $500 if we can make it to $3,000 by

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Independence Challenge Update

Almost There! Our Independence Week challenge grant ends tonight, and we’re only $130 short of our $2,500 goal. Once we reach our goal, we’ll receive an equal amount from a generous donor (who wishes to remain anonymous.) Help us get that last $130 before midnight tonight. Thank you! www.kelchmuseum.org/contribute

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Moving to a Climate Controlled Archive

The big move to our new climate controlled archive started this week. 10,000 books, magazines, and catalogs; 20,000+ negatives and photos, and other vintage aviation stuff all had to go to the new building and up a flight of stairs. Thanks to everyone who helped so far…there’s plenty more work

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Independence Day Challenge!

In the spirit of Independence Day, we have received a $2,500 challenge from an anonymous Wisconsin donor. We’ll receive $2,500 if we can raise an equal amount before the end of the day on Saturday, July 10. We’re less than three weeks from opening day, July 23. Help give us

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Phase II Building Update

What a day! We had electricians and floor polishers and builders and IT nerds and all sorts of work going on in the Phase II building. 18 days until the Grand Opening on the 23rd. Will we make it? (Spoiler alert….yes we will!)We had some nice donations come in today

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Bill’s Air Park

This article was originally published in Forward in Flight magazine, a publication of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. “Bill’s Air Park” 75th Anniversaries aboundBy Patrick Weeden My friend Joe Snow recently mentioned that his trusty little Cessna 140 will turn 75 years old this year. A quick search of

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Museum Grand Opening!

After five years of fundraising, planning, talking, and dreaming,The Kelch Aviation Museum will celebrate with a takeoff party on July 23rd! Our Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., with a formal ribbon cutting, special tours, and maybe even a speech or two. More details to come, but mark your

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Wing Rigging on Travel Air 4000

Lights, camera, action! The latest in our continuing series of virtual aircraft tours, “Airplanes With Ami!” has been published. Join Collections Manager Ami Eckard-Lee & Archivist Hannah Schickles as they rig and balance the wings on a Travel Air 4000 Biplane.

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The Dangers of Flying the Mail

Air Mail pilots like William “Wild Bill” Hopson faced many dangers, but none so menacing as being cut out of foam board with a sharp knife by our Archivist, Hannah. Wild Bill is featured in the museum’s Air Mail exhibit, curated by Hannah. You can see him when we open

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