Hendersonville's Hidden Gem: The WNC Air Museum

A community-driven aviation museum preserves the region's flying history through hands-on restoration and open access.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tucked away in Hendersonville, North Carolina, the Western North Carolina Air Museum offers visitors a unique and immersive experience, showcasing a collection of historic aircraft from the 'golden age' of aviation. Unlike traditional aviation museums, the WNC Air Museum emphasizes accessibility, allowing guests to get up close and personal with the planes while observing the ongoing restoration work by dedicated volunteers.

Why it matters

The museum's focus on preserving the region's aviation heritage and providing a hands-on, community-driven experience sets it apart from larger, more formal institutions. By maintaining an active grass landing strip and encouraging visitor engagement, the WNC Air Museum helps keep the spirit of early aviation alive, offering a glimpse into a time when flight was more accessible and less regulated.

The details

The museum's collection includes a variety of fabric-covered, wooden-structured planes from the decades surrounding World War II, including replicas of historic warbirds like the Fokker DR1 and the P-51 Mustang. Visitors can observe the museum's team of volunteer mechanics and restoration experts as they work to maintain and restore these aircraft, providing a unique educational opportunity. The museum's location adjacent to the active Johnson Field grass landing strip further enhances the immersive experience, allowing guests to witness the operation of these vintage planes in their natural environment.

  • The Western North Carolina Air Museum was founded in April 1989.
  • The museum's dedicated hangar was completed in January 1993, and it officially opened to the public in May of that year.
  • In the early 2000s, the museum underwent significant expansion, more than doubling the size of the original display hangar and growing its collection to over 20 aircraft.

The players

Dennis Dunlap

One of the three founding members of the Western North Carolina Air Museum, with the goal of preserving the aviation heritage of the region and the state.

Bill Schreier

One of the three founding members of the Western North Carolina Air Museum, with the goal of preserving the aviation heritage of the region and the state.

Ken Stubbs

One of the three founding members of the Western North Carolina Air Museum, with the goal of preserving the aviation heritage of the region and the state.

Steven Lyons

An experienced pilot and longtime aviation enthusiast who became involved with the museum in the early 2000s, helping to expand its facilities and collection.

Rick Morey

A docent and aviation maintenance technician at the museum, who volunteers at least two days a week and shares his expertise and stories with visitors.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I came in 2003, I could see that we had more land next to the existing hangar. I worked with the people in the museum to find out why we might not want to build a bigger actual museum.”

— Steven Lyons

“All the planes here have flown. They've all been in the air, but we don't fly them anymore for insurance reasons.”

— Rick Morey, Docent and Aviation Maintenance Technician

“This is really something you have to see. It's fantastic. It reminds me of World War II.”

— Simon Gurdan, 99-year-old WWII Veteran

What’s next

The museum plans to continue expanding its collection and facilities, with the goal of preserving more of the region's aviation history and providing an even more immersive experience for visitors.

The takeaway

The WNC Air Museum offers a unique and accessible way for the local community and aviation enthusiasts to engage with the history of flight. By emphasizing hands-on restoration, open access, and personal connections, the museum has created a space that celebrates the spirit of early aviation and the people who keep it alive.