Whether you’re just stopping to spend the day in Pooler or you’re visiting for a relaxing vacation, a trip over to the National Museum of the Eighth Air Force is a must! This institution has an incredible collection of aircraft and related artifacts exploring World War II aviation history, specifically regarding the Mighty Eighth Air Force. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. This is a great museum to spend a couple of hours exploring, and it has such a diverse collection and exhibits that even visitors who aren’t history enthusiasts will still have a great time.
The origins of the museum begin with Major Lewis E. Lyle, who flew with the Eighth Air Force. This division of the United States Army Corps was created in 1942 in Savannah with only seven men and no aircraft. It quickly grew and became the largest air armada in the world, with airmen planning and implementing strategic bombing campaigns against Nazi Germany. Major Lyle piloted OOLD for 16 missions and flew 70+ missions in B-17s during his service. After the war came to an end, he dedicated his life to helping the families of fallen airmen. He also had a vision for creating a place to preserve the incredible legacy of the Eighth Air Force, which is how the museum came to fruition. On May 14, 1996, the museum opened its doors with a rotunda in his honor and continues to preserve, educate and interpret this important part of history.
When you first step inside the museum, you’ll begin with the Prelude to World War II exhibit, which tells the story of how Hitler came into power through artifacts like war propaganda. This exhibit lays the foundation for understanding the full story behind how World War II began. Next, you’ll make your way to the Mission Experience and Combat Gallery area, which offers a truly immersive experience through interactive exhibits and visuals. Visitors walk straight into a re-creation of Molesworth Airfield, which was home to the 303rd Bomb Group during World War II. This sets the scene for the 90-foot mural that surrounds a Nissen hut and control tower, giving visitors the feeling that they’ve traveled back in time at one of the East Anglia bases used by the Mighty Eighth. There’s also a restored Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft and a short film that lets visitors become even more immersed in this area.
As you explore the museum, you’ll find a variety of more engaging exhibits to check out. Airman Down is another unique exhibit that is a recreation of a safe-house and a POW camp through real artifacts donated by former prisoners of war. The Hall of Valor showcases artifacts donated by men who served in the Eighth Air Force as a way to honor those who served and their families. Other exhibits inside the museum include The Eighth Air Force and D-Day through Images and Memories, Clayton Knight, Artist of the ETO Allied War Effort 1942, a mini rotunda, and Colonial Group, Inc. Art Gallery: A Brush with Destiny. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the exhibits continue outside with a F-4C Phantom and a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17A, and other interesting areas like a Memorial Garden and Chapel of the Fallen.
Along with the permanent exhibits at the museum, new acquisitions will add to its comprehensive collection. Recently, the museum acquired a B-24 Liberator from the collection of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at the Barksdale Air Force Base. This artifact is an important piece of World War II aviation history and allows the museum to tell the comprehensive history of the Eighth Air Force. Another exciting addition coming to the museum is a historical collection of artwork by Corporal Anthony Starcer. Starcer was an artist during World War II known for his nose art, which became a recognizable feature of the U.S. Army forces. The museum will have 13 original oil on canvas paintings featuring the nose art he created for aircraft and 13 pencil portraits of military and political leaders. This includes recognizable portraits of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and others.
After exploring all of the incredible exhibits, a trip to the museum isn’t complete without eating lunch at Miss Sophie’s Marketplace. Located inside the museum, this restaurant serves up classic Southern dishes, perfect after a couple of hours exploring the site. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force offers a truly impactful and educational experience to visitors of all ages, making it a must-do activity.
So, during your upcoming Pooler visit, take the time to explore this institution and learn more about the local heroes of the Eighth Air Force.
