Learn more about this business on Yelp.
“Places in Peru, IN”
The Grissom Air Museum, near Peru, Indiana and named for astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, was founded in 1981 by seven prior service military personnel who lived in the area including John Crume, our first Chairman. The Heritage Museum Foundation (HMF) wanted to preserve aircraft that were currently located at Grissom Air Reserve Base, formerly Grissom Air Force Base. The HMF started the Grissom Air Museum in 1982 outside of what then was the main gate of Grissom Air Reserve Base.The museum currently has 28 aircraft: 27 on display, and one awaiting its display area. It is also the home of the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (1955-63), 305th Bomb Wing (1959-94), and the 434th Air Refueling Wing (1970-Present).HistoryThe Grissom Air Reserve Base, was the Grissom Air Force Base before it was changed from an active service facility. Prior to May 12, 1968, it was known as the Bunker Hill Air Force Base. Bunker Hill was renamed Grissom AFB in honor of Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, an Indiana native and the second American astronaut to fly in space, who perished in the Apollo 1 launch pad fire of January 27, 1967. The indoor museum was completed in 1991. The original aircraft were moved from the base to a public access site in 1987. From 1995-2009, the Museum was a State Historic Site under Indiana's Department of Natural Resources. Current funding is obtained through donations, membership, gift shop sales, and admissions. The State of Indiana awarded the museum funds for capital projects which include aircraft maintenance, air park maintenance, alert tower maintenance, and a Veterans Memorial Walkway.
A wonderful stop you should make when passing just north of Kokomo, Indiana! The museum is open for the season now (starting the first Thursday in March), Thursday - Sunday from 10am-4pm and is... Read more
I appreciate what they are trying to do here, and being in the middle of nowhere with certainly limited resources, it can't be easy. However, I am not sure how this stays open when there are... Read more
Nice museum. Not to expensive. Can go through it in an hour or two. Lots of history here out of this supporting the air force in past conflicts. Lots of local service members and heroes from the... Read more
Grissom Air Museum
Hours
- Sun, Thu - Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
Has RV parking changed? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
Credit Cards Accepted
Parking
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
The top things to do on an I-80 road trip
- 35 Places
- 53:41
- 3,194 mi