South Dakota Air and Space Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
South Dakota Air and Space Museum

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Established	1983
Location	Adjacent to Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, South Dakota, United States
Type	Aviation museum
Collection size	25+ aircraft
Founder	Gerald E. Teachout

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is an exciting place to visit! It's an aviation museum located right next to Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, South Dakota. This museum is all about the amazing history of the United States Air Force. It also shares stories about the air base itself and how aerospace has developed in South Dakota.

History of the Museum

The idea for the museum started in 1982. The United States Air Force wanted to create museums at different bases. Because of this, the Ellsworth Heritage Foundation was started in 1983. Gerald E. Teachout was one of the people who helped create it.

At first, they tried to raise money for a new building in 1985. But then, the museum received a great gift. They got four old hangars and a two-story building. These buildings were going to be torn down. Instead, they were moved to the museum's current spot in 1992. This new location is close to the main gate of the air base.

New Aircraft and Exhibits Arrive

The museum started getting cool aircraft and models. In 1989, they received a model of a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The next year, they fixed up a Boeing B-29 Superfortress airplane. They also got a Boeing B-47 Stratojet from another air base.

In 1994, something unique was added. A Minuteman II missile silo trainer became part of the museum. This trainer was located right on Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Museum Improvements and Reopening

The museum received money in 1998 to make its displays even better. In 2001, a new entrance was opened. It featured a large Rockwell B-1 Lancer bomber.

More exciting additions came over the years. An AGM-28 Hound Dog missile was shown in 2011 after being restored. A big project to improve the museum's outdoor areas finished in 2016. In 2017, they put a Titan I missile on display outside.

In 2019, the museum worked with the Commemorative Air Force. They flew a B-25 bomber across South Dakota. This flight honored two South Dakotans who took part in the famous Doolittle Raid during World War II. A model of an AGM-158 missile was added in 2022. The museum was closed for two years for updates. It proudly reopened its doors in June 2024.

What You Can See: Exhibits

The museum has four indoor areas called galleries. These galleries are named after famous aviation pioneers: Frank Hunter, Duke Corning, Clyde Ice, and Joe Foss.

The displays cover many interesting topics. You can learn about the history of aerospace technology. There are sections about the World Wars and the Cold War. You can also discover stories of early aviation pioneers. A big part of the museum is dedicated to the history of Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Interactive Displays and Training Aids

The museum has cool training tools you can explore. These include cockpits from an F-106 jet and a B-1B bomber. You can even try an F-16 flight simulator! There's also a Minuteman Crew Mission Procedures Trainer. This is what missile crews used to practice their missions.

Other exhibits tell about the Stratobowl Balloon Launches from the 1930s. You can also learn about the 44th Bombardment Group and the 44th Strategic Missile Wing. The museum is also home to the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.

Aircraft and Missiles on Display

The museum has a large collection of real aircraft and missiles. These are on display for visitors to see up close.

Aircraft on display

North American VB-25J Mitchell

Missiles on display

See also

• List of aerospace museums
• List of museums in South Dakota
• North American aviation halls of fame