Last updated: 5/15/2021
Lubbock, Texas
Address
6202 N I-27Lubbock, TX 79403

Hours

Driving Directions: North I-27, Exit 9 or South I-27, Exit 9. ///// Look for the building with the silver "G-Wings" on the tower.
Tuesday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday
1 PM - 5 PM
Monday
closed

Admissions

Adults: $10
Seniors: $8
Children (): $5

Staff

Brooke Witcher
phone:
Eddy Grigsby
phone:
Donald Abbe
phone:
Lisa Howe
phone:
Vassandra Okoruwa
phone:
Description

The Silent Wings Museum is dedicated to telling the history of the American WWII military glider program. The museum was originally established by the National WWII Glider Pilots Association, Inc. View a restored WACO CG-4A, the military mainstay of the U.S. glider force that flew in every major allied invasion of the Second World War. Exhibits include vintage aircraft, photographs, uniforms, weapons, documents, and airborne equipment.

Mission

The Silent Wings Museum, a public institution, preserves and promotes the history of the World War II military glider program by creating an environment for collecting, documenting, interpreting and exhibiting artifacts and information for public education and enjoyment.

History

In 1971, former pilots of the U.S. Army Air Force’s Glider Program banded together to form the National World War II Glider Pilots Association Inc. Their mission was to establish a forum for glider pilots to interact socially and provide the framework for the preservation of the history of the U.S. glider program.

One of its first goals was to locate and restore a WACO CG-4A glider for public display. Several glider pilots in the Dallas area learned about a CG-4A glider sitting atop a tire store in Fresno, California. After World War II, the aircraft had been purchased as military surplus, placed on top of the building and used as advertising. The glider was purchased and restoration was completed in time for the 1979 national reunion in Dallas. After the reunion, steps were taken to build a museum to house the CG-4A.

The first Silent Wings Museum opened to the public on November 10, 1984 in Terrell, Texas. By 1997, the pilots realized that a more permanent museum home was needed. Lubbock, where a majority of the glider pilots had trained, offered to provide a new site for the museum. The pilots selected Lubbock as the new location and the Terrell site closed in January 2001. In October 2002, the former South Plains Army Airfield site opened the new Silent Wings Museum with the restored CG-4A glider as a centerpiece of the exhibits.

Artifact Collections

historical memorabilia dealing with World War II gliders & airborne forces, 1940-1946

Facilities
Auditoriums
Library
RESEARCH

The Silent Wings Museum is home to an extensive archive, Library and Collection of artifacts and information about the World War II military glider program. Contact the Museum Curator at (806) 775-3334 or email info@silentwingsmuseum.com with information requests or to schedule a research appointment.

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
Services
Group Tours

Silent Wings Museum Tours: The Silent Wings Museum is excited to offer tours to special interest groups, including school and civic organizations. By reserving a tour, groups can come and experience a guided visit centered on sharing the history of the World War II Glider Pilot Program, perfect for science and history curriculum. Visitors may walk through the combat gallery, an interactive space set up to look like a real WWII war zone, view a short film on the history of the glider pilot program, explore a pilot’s footlocker, see and touch the uniform of WWII glider pilots, and have the opportunity to look inside a full-sized glider plane

Facility Rental Hours

Please call or email for Rental availability. Rental availability is subject to Silent Wings Museum programming and previously scheduled Rentals. To rent the Silent Wings Museum Hangar or Adams Library and Reading Room

Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

RECENT UPDATES

Museum Vendors

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10/30 Museum Fabrication Group, LLC

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03/07 ConservArt Inc.

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Museum Associations

03/07 South Carolina Federation of Museums

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