Last updated: 2/12/2012
Indianola, Iowa
Street Address
1601 North Jefferson WayIndianola, IA 50125
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 149Indianola, IA 50125

Hours

Winter hours: Feb-April
Daily
1 PM - 4 PM
May-Dec 24
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 4 PM
Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday
1 PM - 4 PM
Closed major holidays and January

Admissions

Adults (over 12 years): $3
Children under 12: Free
Babies: Free

Staff

Becky Wigeland
phone: 515-961-8144
Description

Come and surround yourself in history and the "Beginning of the Space Age" with Ballooning from 1783 to the present. Learn about many of the Pioneers of Ballooning from our Hall of Fame and Women in Ballooning displays. The Children' Learning Area will entertain and teach them about ballooning through simulated video games, videos , balloon pictures and books.Our collection covers gas,smoke and hot air balloons as well as airships, blimps and Zeppelins and their memoribilia.

Your membership

The museum is operated entirely by volunteers and its only support comes from contributions and gift shop sales. Your membership contribution will help assure its continued operation and help to make possible future enhancements of its programs and facilities. You will also enjoy special membership privileges. See our website to find out how you can become a member and what membership benefits you will receive.

Mission

It is the responsibilty of the National Balloon Museum,Inc to promote, teach and provide the accurate knowledge of ballooning by collecting and preserving artifacts, documents and images representative of the history of ballooning.

History

We have been in existance since 1972 because of the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Nationals which was started in Indianola,Iowa in 1970 and flown here for 18 years, then Indianola started their own race called the National Balloon Classic which is flying in August yearly. We have exhibits and collections that help the public better understand ballooning and its history from 1783 to the present.

Artifact Collections

We have collections of meterology, barrage ballooning, gas, hot air and smoke ballooning, Hall of Fame memoribilia.

Research Collections

We have a fabulous ballooning/aviation research library which is open to the public.

Educational Programs

We have a learning center for children-adults providing a reading place for children and families with games, and coloring of balloons etc. Included is a video game called "Hot Air Pilot" which is a game for virtual flying of a hot air balloon.
We have a space designated as a theater for the showing of videos and PowerPoint slide presentations about ballooning and ballooning history. Activities for childrens groups are scheduled regularly.

Facilities
Lecture Halls
Governance

Board of Directors made of of 14 persons

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
Publications

Newsletter - quarterly

Services
Tours

Tours are $5.00 and need to be reserved ahead. We also can schedule an additional tour at a local Balloon manufacturer for an additional fee of $5.00 each.

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

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