Today is National Aviation Day (August 19th), the perfect occasion to explore the fascinating world of flight. There's no better place to celebrate than the Hickory Aviation Museum!
The Hickory Aviation Museum, a non-profit organization passionately operated and cared for by volunteers, began as a dream in the early 1990s. It all began when Kregg and Kyle Kirby discovered an abandoned airplane located at a ballpark in nearby Taylorsville, North Carolina. The two men knew that this piece of history belonged in a museum, so they transported the aircraft to the Hickory Regional Airport, marking the beginning of a growing collection. In 2007, the City of Hickory and the Hickory Regional Airport allocated space inside a former air terminal and on-ramp to be the new home of the Hickory Aviation Museum. Today, the collection has over 30 aircraft, cockpits, and fuselages, and just received its newest aircraft, an AV-8B Harrier II jet, in July 2024. Check out the epic fly-in video here!
The museum offers a blend of aviation history and hands-on experiences. In addition to the impressive aircraft exhibition, visitors can explore a variety of historical exhibits and utilize the museum's research library. If you work up an appetite, Wingz Grill, conveniently located on the terminal ramp, serves delicious sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, and more, ensuring there's something for everyone. Before you leave, be sure to check out the gift shop to pick up a memorable souvenir.
The museum is experiencing some exciting changes! It is undergoing construction of a new state-of-the-art building to expand its offerings and serve as a new home for the museum's many aircraft, artifacts, and more. The new building will house the vintage aircraft, protecting them from weather damage, and will also include a workforce innovation center in partnership with Catawba Valley Community College. This innovation center will serve as an educational space with high-tech equipment, classrooms, and virtual training simulators. Most recently, in July, the new Aviation Walk opened, which connects another piece of the larger Hickory Trail multi-use path system.
The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free, although donations are greatly appreciated.
To learn more, visit the Hickory Aviation Museum's website, Facebook, or Instagram.
