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Conquering the Skies: Evolution of Flight
April 16 - August 31, 2024
The Wright brothers made history in their Kitty Hawk Flyer on December 17, 1903, with the first powered heavier-than-air manned aircraft, ushering in the pioneer era of aviation. The North Carolina flight lasted just 12 seconds and traveled only 180 feet, proving human flight was possible. Following the first flight, aviation capabilities rapidly advanced, as aviators strove to be the first, the fastest, or to fly higher and farther than anyone else. Their daring not only gained widespread attention, making them heroes, but furthered the science of flight, making technological, scientific, and military advances. Within the first dozen years of aviation development, most of its current major applications had already been discovered: exploration, military, and commercial. What remained was setting records, expanding roles, and improving technology. Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927, and Amelia Earhart became the first woman to do so five years later. A U.S.Air Force plane made the first nonstop flight around the world in 1942, and Chuck Yeager was breaking the sound barrier by 1949. The modern era of aviation does not even need pilots. Drones and unmanned aircraft are charting new paths and leading the way forward.
When jumbo jets routinely carry passengers across the North Pole, it's hard to imagine a world in which places were not reachable by air. By bringing nations closer, aviation has shrunk the globe and expanded people's horizons. In war or peace, aviation has a profound impact on the economic, social, and political climate. Gregg County Historical Museum proudly presents Conquering the Skies: Evolution of Flight. April 16 - August 31, 2024
Activities Calendar
Bird's Eye View of Gregg County drone footage showcase
April 16 - August 31, 2024
Submit your entry to be displayed throughout the exhibit here. Full details on specifications on the submission form.
Cleared for Takeoff
April 16, 4:00-6:00 pm
Members-only opening reception. Join us in exploring how the science of flight has changed and relive milestones in aviation history. Refreshments and libations will be served.
STEM Action Day
April 20
Flight Montessori play day! Explore what makes objects fly! Rotate through five stations and let your imagination take off! Only two play sessions will be held so register early. FREE to the public.
Up, UP and Away STEM Action Days
April 20, May 18, June 15, 2024
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series
May 2, 5:30-6:30pm
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series presents Brigadier General Mike McClendon
General McClendon is a senior pilot with more than 10,000 hours in more than 35 types of aircraft ranging from helicopters to fighters to transports. As a civilian, he is a captain for a major airline, flying internationally. 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. FREE to the public
Ready, Set, Fly Robotics Competition (featuring flight component)
May 8, 2024
Local elementary, middle, and high school robotics teams get to show off their skills from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. at the museum! The morning session features teams 3rd - 5th grade running the Region 7 competition board. The afternoon session features teams 6th - 8th and 9th-12th launching provided balls toward a target. Highest points scored wins!
Tiny Thinkers: Let's Talk About Airplanes
May 16, 9am-10am
Children ages 2-5 yrs invited to the museum from 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. for a read aloud book, music, and age appropriate airplane theme crafts and activities. $5 per child
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series
May 16, 5:30-6:30pm
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series presents Christina Stanger
"Gals and 50 Cals" Petty Officer Second Class Christina Stanger served four years in the U.S. Air Force on the flight deck of aircraft carriers loading ordinance and maintaining F-18C and E's hornet and superhornet planes. AO2 Stanger will be speaking about the challenges women face in career fields dominated by men. She now enjoys her 20 year career in land surveying, utilizing the skills developed during her service. 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. FREE to the public
STEM Action Day
May 18, 10am-2pm
Let's build a plane today! Use of creativity and imagination required! Using shoe boxes, moving boxes, and any other type of boxes we can find, build and decorate a flying machine! Join the fun anytime from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 pm. at the museum. FREE to the public
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series
June 6, 5:30-6:30pm
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series presents TBA
Lecture will be from 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. FREE to the public
STEM Action Day
June 15
Stations and activities investigating how air impacts flight? Rotate through four stations with a hands-on experiment at each stop! Only two sessions will be held so register early. FREE to the public.
Sensory Awareness Day
June 19, 9am-11am
Explore Conquering the Skies exhibit in a quieter setting with reduced light and noise. Hands-on activities will be available. Join anytime from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. FREE to the public.
Tiny Thinkers: Let's Talk About Hot Air Balloons
June 20, 9am-10am
Children ages 2-5 yrs invited to the museum from 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. for a read aloud book, music, and age appropriate hot air balloon theme crafts and activities. $5 per child
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series
June 22, August 3, 2024
Excellence in Flight Lecture Series presents Jerry Anne Jurenka
"The Search for Amelia Earhart" - Jerry Anne Jurenka is an instrument-rated private pilot and an international aviation judge appointed by the FAI in Paris. She was Chief Navigation Judge and Chief Local Judge for the World Precision Flying Championships in Fort Worth in 1996 and has also served in Poland, the Czech Republic and New Zealand. She was Chief Judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's national competition in 1999 and continues to judge
at the regional and national level. Most of her adventures have come from an association with the international group of women pilots, The Ninety-Nines, since joining in 1984.
In July 1999, she was a sponsor and team member of a 10 man, 2 woman expedition to an
equatorial island in the south Pacific in search of the airplane (an Electra 10E) in which
Amelia Earhart disappeared in July, 1937. The expedition, called Niku IIIIP, was a
project of TIGHAR (The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery).
5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. FREE to the public
Soar Above the Rest Lunch with a pilot!
June 22, 11am-2pm, $10 per ticket
Have lunch with an airplane, helicopter, hot air balloon and drone pilot to ask all the questions and hear fascinating stories from all their experiences!
Aviation Camp Experience (A.C.E.)
July 9-12, 9am-12pm, $100 per child for the entire camp, 25 spots available ONLY
Daily Itinerary Below
Day 1 - Forces of Flight
- What makes a rocket fly? Pixie dust? A cool paint job? Popeye's spinach? This lesson will allow students to explore the four forces that are necessary for a rocket, or any flying object, to take flight. Young aviators will experience each of the forces of flight through a series of interactive activities and see how they all come together to make flight possible for humans and animals! 9:00 a.m.- Noon at the Gregg County Historical Museum.
Day 2 - Make a Shoebox Fly
- Before every flight, a careful eye is on navigational directions and the weather. Following hands-on experiments with navigation and weather conditions, campers will use new knowledge about the forces that affect flight, campers will build and demonstrate their own flying machine! 9:00 a.m.- Noon at the Gregg County Historical Museum.
Day 3 - Field trip to LeTourneau College of Aviation and Aeronautical Science
- Campers will experience an indepth look at the amazing stuff happening at the LETU College of Aviation and Aeronautical Science. Sit in a plane? Check! See a drone fly? Check! Flight simulator? Check! All of these and other hands-on activities! Meet at LeTourneau College of Aviation and AEronautical Science at 9:00 a.m. Parents pick up from the LeTourneau School of Aviation and Aeronautical Science at noon. 200 Airpark Drive
Day 4 - Field trip to East Texas Regional Airport
- Meet with the airport director Max Tovar for a guided tour and behind the scenes look of how the East Texas Regional Airport operates. Talk to an air traffic controller, TSA agent, baggage handler, and see an airplane in the process of being renovated. All your flight questions will be answered! Drop off at the East Texas Regional Airport at 9:00 a.m. Parents pick up from the East Texas Regional Airport at noon. 269 Terminal Circle.
Eyes to the Sky drone demonstration
July 13, 10am-1:30pm
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope! Drones are commonly used for so many reasons. Join us for a demonstration from Texas Civilian Air Patrol, Longview Police Department, LeTourneau School of Aviation, U.S. Forest Service, and commercial pilot Jim Quinn demonstrate their drone skills and how they are used in daily life. 10:00am - 1:30pm FREE TO PUBLIC
Soar Above the Rest: Lunch with a Pilot
August 3, 11am-2pm, $25 per ticket
Pilot: Thomas A. Bussiere
General Thomas A. Bussiere is Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic - Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike capability, and combat support to USSTRATCOM and other geographic combatant commands. The command is composed of more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 11 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve wings; and the Joint Global Strike Operations Center. Weapons systems assigned to AFGSC include all U.S. Air Force intercontinental ballistic missiles and bomber aircraft, UH-1N helicopters, E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft, and the U.S. Air Force NC3 weapons system.11:00am - 2:00pm. Catered lunch with registration required.
FREE Family Fun Day
August 10, 10am-2pm
Don't miss the opportunity to join us for a day of STEM based aviation activities! FREE TO PUBLIC
Tiny Thinkers: Let's Talk About Hot Air Balloons
Aug 15, 9am-10am
Children ages 2-5 yrs invited to the museum from 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. for a read aloud book, music, and age appropriate hot air balloon theme crafts and activities. $5 per child
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