The Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots facts for kids

The Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots (MWP) is a special place that helps keep the amazing history of women in aviation alive. It's a museum and a research center all in one. The museum is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the Will Rogers World Airport. You can find it on the second floor of the building where the International Organization of Women Pilots, called The Ninety-Nines, has its main office.

This museum is huge, about 5,000 square feet! It holds the biggest collection of items from women pilots from all over the world. These items help tell the stories of brave women who flew planes and made history.

Discovering the Museum's History

How the Museum Started

The story of the museum begins with an organization called "The Ninety-Nines." This group was started in 1929 by 99 women pilots in New York City. They wanted to support each other and help more women get involved in flying.

In 1955, the main office for The Ninety-Nines moved from New York to Oklahoma City. As the years went by, the group realized they had collected many important things related to women pilots.

Growing the Collection

By 1972, they officially created a "Resource Center." This center was like a big library and archive. It had books, old papers, photos, and even videos of women pilots telling their own stories. It was a place to learn all about their adventures in the sky.

Soon, there were so many cool things that the Resource Center needed more space! Because the collection grew so much, a separate museum was built. This new museum, the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots, opened its doors to the public in 1999.

Exploring the Museum's Collections

What You Can See at the Museum

The museum has many interesting items that show the history of women pilots. You can see old papers, personal belongings, and lots of photos. There are also videos where you can hear women aviators talk about their experiences. These items are called artifacts, and they help us understand the important part women played in making aviation what it is today.

The museum's exhibits help you learn how women pilots changed flying forever. They show the mark these women left on history.

Amelia Earhart's Special Items

One of the most famous women pilots was Amelia Earhart. The museum is home to some of her personal items. You can also find lots of information about her amazing flying career and her pioneering flights.

More Places to Learn About Aviation

• Amelia Earhart Birthplace
• Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
• International Women's Air & Space Museum
• National WASP WWII Museum