The Stonehenge Air Museum in the Tobacco Valley
An air museum in the Tobacco Valley?!? Even many long-time locals look surprised when they hear about it. But, yes Virginia, there is a wonderful air museum and it is located just south of Eureka.
The non-profit stonehengeairmuseum.org is home of "over two dozen vintage aircraft including the world’s only airworthy MK 47 Seafire". In addition to the aircraft, visitors can view numerous aircraft engines on display along with over 400 aircraft models and a growing collection of aviation art including a set of Frank Lemon lithographs. The museum's mission is "to acquire, restore, maintain, and display historically significant vintage aircraft". And the museum's staff does this very, very well.
The Stonehenge Air Museum is open Mondays through Fridays (closed holidays) from 9:00am to noon and 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The very knowledgeable curator, Sam Winefordner, will provide a guided tour of the 27,200 square foot hanger and exhibit spaces and lots of interesting stories. An article on the Stonehenge Air Museum by a reporter for the Daily Interlake noted that, "the stories are just as incredible as the airplanes themselves."
Visitors need to make prior reservations to see the museum. Its easy to set up a tour by calling 406-882-4714 or else dropping an email to . There is a small admission charged ($8/adult; seniors, military and children under 12 $5; and children under 5 years old for free). This is certainly the type of place you would enjoy visiting or taking your out of town guests.
About the Author: Rita Collins. I am a believer in the power of community and for now I call the Tobacco Valley home. I have lived in nine states and three counties and this community here amazes me - how people reach out to neighbors and even travelers. I've never lived in a place that demonstrates people caring for each other so well. And I've never lived in a place that has such a high percentage of talented musicians and artists. I work with the the Sunburst Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that began in Eureka twenty years ago and now serves numerous communities in western Montana. And I just started a new business, St. Rita's Amazing Traveling Bookstore and Textual Apothecary. I never could have imagined life being this exciting in my sixth decade.