Where would you locate a new aviation museum?

[GARY HILTON]

I would like to hear the varied opinions, of where an aviation museum could be located.
Of course, it would have to be located where it would draw in attendance....One that comes into mind is the Museum in Liberal, Kansas...An excellent museum, but location is to me , a bit of a problem. Most people that go there , already know of it's existance....although it does draw in tourists in transit to other locations, frankly, it's kinda off the beaten path.

Another concideration is the climate, for aircraft that would be stored and displayed outside...so this would narrow the location to the lower portion of the U.S....say from Texas (western...humidity issues) west to Arizona...California is out of the question as of their tax and financial situation..

I pretty much have a location in mind, but I'd love hear to your opinion, and why you think that your choice could be a good contender.

Sound off............

[Zachary]

Kansas City or St. Louis. Large population centers, centrally located in the country, high mileage areas with lots of through traffic to pull in....Both are rich in aviation history, but St. Louis edges out KC in that regard. I'd think either one would be ideal, but so far the small aviation museums that have been in those locations have floundered a bit.

Zack

[GARY HILTON]

Thanks for the input Zack
I have spent most my life in and around KC...the only museums I have been familiar with was the S.A.C., Frank Howerton and The Fairfax Ghost, and I don't remember if Tired Iron was a museum to speak of, or just a maintenence outfit...At least SAC is still solvent...I believe that is due to the large amount of TWA retiree's, and that org. does have a good following.

Downtown Airport would be a lot easier to get in and out of compared to St Louis's Lambert Field...

Colder winters though....but point noted.

[Pat]

Well, Midland already has one, so I'd have to say Odessa, Texas. Oh, wait...that wouldn't make sense, either.

Seriously, if I were going to put one in Texas, it would be near the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Maybe Denton, TX? I would put it within easy driving distance of a large metropolitan area.

[RyanShort1]

If it was Fantasy of Flight style, I'd say San Antonio. We're a fairly major tourist stop (not sure why... ) and if it had enough draw for non-aviators, I think it could be successful.

Ryan

[Zachary]

The only really bad thing about St. Louis that you'd have to consider is the flooding, which seems to happen in a big way every now and again.

Zack

[airnutz]

Yep, somewhere away from earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, salt-air, tsunamis and global warming induced new shoreline areas.
Does that help?

[mustangdriver]

Pittsburgh, PA There are no aviation things to really go and see there.

[Pat Carry]

Now is probably not the best time to open any kind of museum. because of the economy many museums are hanging on by a thread.

[Warbird Kid]

Does Maryland have any active museums? I have to admit I've recently been scouring Google Maps and using the street map view to locate good locations for museums. (Yeah I know I need help) What I've found is that it seems Maryland could be a good location for a museum. At least I think so.

-General proximity to DC, Baltimore,
-Relatively thin state with multiple states close by: (West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia)
-Geography is made up of rolling hills and farmland.

Anyone have anything to add to this idea?

[mustangdriver]

Maryland has the Martin Museum

[Nathan]

Yep, somewhere away from earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, salt-air, tsunamis and global warming induced new shoreline areas.
Does that help?

I hate to say it but Pennsylvania would be a good choice in terms of safety. Also your within distance of many airshows and major cities.

[BK]

Somewhere is the southeast like Atlanta or Nashville. Large population areas, intersecting interstates, international airports, destination spots for other reasons, year round good weather (more or less) and very little or no competition from other aviation museums. Plus, it'd be in my back yard.

[Ztex]

Being from Texas....I would say Denton would be a good place but there is a bit of the saturation factor to consider around the DFW area. The VFM and the OV-10 guys in Fort worth, CAF in Lancaster Cavanuagh in Addison and Frontiers of Flight at Love Field.
That added to the fact that the people and city of Ft. Worth did not support the idea of a big museum with the B-36 as a centerpiece despite years fo fund raising campaigns, airshows , etc.
Sounds rather negative ... but I would love to see more here!

San Antonio would be an excellent choice. Lot's of military history, Lackland AFB and a good tourism base. Warm (hot) and dry most of the time, mild winters.

And then there's Albuquerque, NM...a growing population with a burgeoning museum culture and tourist industry...they do have the Atomic Museum and the Balloon Museum...but nothing like a flying museum. Great weather!

[Warbird Kid]

Maryland has the Martin Museum

Ah! very true. But there not a flyable museum are they? I took the initial question as for a flying museum.

Also, I think my great little home state wouldn't be such a bad place to harbor a flyable museum. But as far as exact location, thats to be determined.