The Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks often comes as a surprise to visitors. Tucked into a strip mall, you would never expect it to be filled with not only 5,000 artifacts, but also to include military aircraft and vehicles.
The “storefront” exhibits smaller items that include uniforms, regalia and operational World War II-era radio equipment.
You’ll also find models of military aircraft and ships, and also one of the Titanic built by a local resident.
Some of the items date back to the Civil War. Springfield is home to the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, where the first Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River took place.
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The “back room” is where you’ll find the big surprises, including a Cobra helicopter that you can sit in for a photo op.
The Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks is completely run by volunteers and funded through the $5 admission to the museum. Volunteers, many of whom are military veterans, explain more about the museum’s artifacts and often relate personal stories.
If you visit the Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks
The Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks, located at 2306 East Kearney in Springfield, Missouri, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Check the website for further details.
Accommodations in Springfield: Find the best hotel deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor.
Disclosures: Our visit to Springfield, Missouri, was hosted by the Springfield Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau, but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.
This article contains an affiliate link, which means that if you book a room through the TripAdvisor link above, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
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