FAIRBORN, Ohio — For any museum, turning 100 years old is certainly something special.
As the National Museum of the United States Air Force celebrates its century milestone, efforts are being made to bring in new generations of visitors.
The museum remains one of the most visited free attractions in the state of Ohio.
“I was a jet engine mechanic when I started 40 years ago. In fact, I worked on the engine right behind me. The TF33, which powers the C-141,” said Air Force veteran Michael Brimmer, the education division chief at the National Museum of the USAF.
He can tell you pretty much everything about the exhibits.
As the Air Force’s story continues to evolve, keeping the exhibits interesting for all ages is the goal.
“It is a special challenge, but one I think we do very well here,” Brimmer said.
How do you keep a World War II veteran and a small child engaged at the same time?
Brimmer says you have to tell a story.
“They start to talk about experiences. They start to share. Family stories come out, opinions about things come out. The conversations take place that usually we’re too busy to have,” he said.
Throughout the museum, you’ll see exhibits that focus on humanitarian efforts.
“There are a lot of things we have that are behind ropes that we say please don’t touch the artifact and we’re sensitive to that, but we realize that kids want to touch things,” he said.
There are even some games to play that keep everyone entertained.
Brimmer said creating the exhibits is a very throughout process.
“We’re still discovering what the public is interested in,” he said.
Sometimes there’s a lot more to the story.
“Right now, we have an exhibit that is under construction that shows and highlights the enlisted story,” said Brimmer.
That exhibit is expected to be ready by September.
“It won’t be just one exhibit. It’ll be a threaded exhibit that will go through the entire museum. So it tells the story. The complete story,” said Brimmer.
Other efforts include extra attention to traveling exhibits.
“We call it adventure zone. There are eight different challenges on this course,” Brimmer said as he showed a ropes course with a zip-line.
A major traveling exhibit called “Survival” brings kids and adults into different scenarios.
From camping mishaps to falling through ice, there’s something for everyone.
“This is a program we’re going to continue, a traveling exhibit in the spring, a traveling exhibit in the fall. The schools like to come to them,” Brimmer said.
As the mission continues for the museum to bring in fresh faces while still appealing to older generations, Brimmer says they’ve found a good balance.
“It’s about a diverse set of exhibits and experiences, immersive, interactive, and all of that. That’s what we’re striving to do, and it’s working,” he said.
Some other ways the museum is trying to appeal to a wider audience is through hosting different opportunities to visit.
Recently, the museum hosted a “Fitness Under the Wings” yoga event and frequently a 21+ night called the “After Dark” series allows visitors to walk around and see the artifacts up close.