Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum showcases space exploration with NASA exhibit
COFFEYVILLE, Kan. — A Southeast Kansas museum gives you a chance to walk among the stars.
The Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum is hosting a display from NASA’s Johnson Space Center — and they’re hoping it’ll make kids of all ages want to aim for the stars.
“I’m a spaceman,” said Michael Meek, four years old.
Four-year-old Michael Meek learned a lot Sunday. He’s just one of those who’ll get to see a piece of American space history for themselves at the Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum.
“Our tourism director did all of the paperwork to get it here,” said Lisa Brookover, Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum Volunteer.
Two of the bigger items on display are a space suit, and a tire from the space shuttle — but that’s not all the museum offers.
“It was Buzz Aldrin’s space suit, they’re amazed by all the hoses and the backpack and the face shield,” said Brookover, “We’ve got three Funk planes. We made over 200 Funk planes here. The two Funk brothers came from Ohio, their original flight certificate was signed by Orville Wright, and we’ve got a copy of that.”
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Brookover says having kids like Michael see the past — and start imagining the future — makes all of the work worth it.
“It’s exciting for me to have the kids, you know. It brings a different energy,” said Brookover.
Meanwhile, for Michael, he’s a man on a mission.
“Looking at the airplanes,” said Meek.
The Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum is completely free.
Accommodations can be made for larger groups, like schools or homeschool clubs by calling (620) 251-2145.
