The last couple days we have focused on a museum in Wichita, Kansas and another in Oklahoma City.
The Kansas Aviation Museum focuses on the city’s premier standing as the Air Capital of the World. It is the birthplace of iconic airplane manufacturers such as Beechcraft, Cessna, Stearman, and Learjet. In 1928 it turned out 1/4 of all airplanes in the U.S. and had 16 airplane manufacturers, 6 engine factories, 11 airports, and 6 flying schools. In the history of flight, Wichita based companies have produced 70% of all general aviation aircraft. Pretty impressive. The museum is housed in an old art deco air terminal.
We watched a video about the Women’s Air Derby of 1929 where 20 women raced from California to Cleveland. It was known as the Powder Puff Derby. They all flew solo in open cockpit planes and were their own mechanics. Amelia Earhart was one of the competitors, but it was won by Louise Thaden in this plane.
Today we visited the FAM—First Americans Museum in OKC. Just opened in 2021, it serves as a place to learn about the 39 tribal nations located in Oklahoma. 16% of Oklahoma’s population are tribal citizens.
This map shows the various tribal nations that lost their land and were removed to Oklahoma. So sad.
The Native American Hall of Fame is also at the site and includes recent inductees Jim Thorpe, Billy Mills (remember his appearance at NML?), Louise Erdrich, and Ada Deer from Wisconsin.
