Quonset Air Museum is one of the richest historical sites in Rhode Island. Located in the heart of Quonset Point, the site where US naval history began, the Quonset Air Museum’s mission is to preserve and educate the public on Rhode Island’s aviation history. it even houses a whopping 28 vin- tage aircrafts in its exhibition. With its wide variety of relics - from famous crafts to vintage parts - the museum gives those who visit not only a valuable, hands-on education of the past, but a genuine feel of being brought back in time.
in the late 1800s, Quonset Point served as the Rhode Island Militia’s State Camp Ground, followed by the Rhode Island National Guard. Then in 1938, a Naval Board headed by Rear Admiral Hepburn studied the need for and location of more East Coast bases. Quonset Point was chosen and what was once 996 acres is now 1,748 acres.
Naval Air Station Quonset Point served in World War ii - warding off U-boats - and in the Cold War. “[Quonset Point] had squadrons that used to search for Russian submarines,” says Executive Director David Payne, describing the anti-submarine work that took place. and before Quonset Point shut down in 1973, it served as a home base for the Navy’s Antarctic Support Squadron, VX/VXe-6, who spent much time in antarctica getting involved in operation deep freeze, a US mission that aimed to advance the scientific findings and knowledge of Antarctica.
During Quonset Point’s activity in the 1940s, a paint shop for the base opened to touch up the aircrafts, not knowing that in 1992 that same building would be giving birth to one of Rhode Island’s most educative museums. With the goal in mind to preserve aircraft, including the well-known a-4 Skyhawk, former governor bruce sundlun helped in the production of the epic museum, which is available today for events of all kinds. Visitors can enjoy the sights of the aircraft and read history plaques that offer rich education on the life of each craft. What better way to experience history?
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here