Artifact Friday: The White Hangar

Hey guys, welcome back to another #ArtifactFriday! Today's artifact examination is the White Hangar, one of the more notable components of the museum! The White Hangar was built in the 1940s and completed in 1944. It was one of the few hangars left in the country that was used for World War II.

During the dedication of the Municipal Airport, the White Hangar was notably pointed out as a part of the airport, especially for its unique construction of local wood from the nearby Boston Mountains, and was held together by metal framing.

The Hangar was designed, as well as constructed, by Henry George, a City Engineer for Fayetteville. Funding for the hangar was put together in a dual effort by the War Department and the 305th College Training Detachment when it began in 1941. During the construction, only eight men at a time worked in the hangar. George oversaw (and worked solely on) the plumbing, welding, electrical wiring, and engineering work.

After the war, from 1949 to 1962, the Hangar was used by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Flight Service Station. Pilots would use the station to file flight plans, observe weather readings, and coordinate aviation operations. You can see a model of the station at the museum in the Hangar!

Today the Hangar is no longer used for flight, but as a part of the museum to observe airplanes and read about the history of aviation and Drake Field. The hangar is also used to hold events, such as weddings, dances, and more recently, plays! The hangar is easily accessible to everyone; all you gotta do is come on down and buy yourself a ticket!