Feb. 17 event honors Black aviators at Wings of the North Museum

The Wings of the North Air Museum will hold a special event on Saturday, Feb. 17, to celebrate African Americans’ significant contributions to the nation’s aviation heritage during Black History Month.

The museum invites the public to visit on Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at no cost. Additionally, the first 20 children 12 years old or younger will receive a free toy airplane.

From noon until 1:30 p.m., two people will share the story of African Americans’ contributions to aviation.

Joel Brown, a local Tuskegee Airmen historian and reenactor, will tell the story of their service and struggles. Portraying Captain Ray B. Ware, an intelligence officer of the 332nd Fighter Group, Brown will highlight their honorable service in the segregated U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He will also delve into their continued struggle for equality and justice upon returning home.

Woody Fountain will also be on hand. After graduating from Howard University and the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, he entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He served as a flight test engineer before going through pilot training and then as an instructor pilot. He applied to fly for Northwest Airlines and became their first Black pilot in June 1969.

The Wings of the North Air Museum welcomes visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum offers scheduling options outside these hours for private tours and parties.

It is situated at 14857 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie, accessible through Gate H at the northwest corner of Flying Cloud Airport. Upon arrival, visitors can follow the instructions provided at the call box for entry and then proceed according to the signs directing them to the museum.

For more information, visit the Wings of the North website. 

Wings of the North is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.