This year’s ‘Festival of Toy Planes and Model Aircraft,’ features more than 2,000 model aircraft in all scales and from all eras, has been extended two weeks and will now run through Sunday, Jan. 26!
The exhibit includes a display of vintage aviation board games that trace the history of flight from the Wright Brothers through the 20th century.
Many are on loan from the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education of Portland, Maine. Hurry in—our exhibit must end by Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025.
The Aviation Museum is open to the public on Fridays & Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. See you at the Aviation Museum!
About the board games: The early days of powered flight prompted a surge of interest in all things aviation-related. While not everyone was brave enough to take the skies, people everywhere enjoyed a multitude of board games produced to satisfy the public’s growing fascination with flight.
Seen today, surviving aviation-themed board games from the early 20th century form a tangible link to a lost era when the emergence of powered flight was seen as nothing short of miraculous.
Paul Fink had been collecting games with great pleasure and enthusiasm for 25 years. Using his extensive knowledge and experienced eye, he carefully assembled an exceptional collection of games related to motion and transportation.
And below are photos of our volunteers and staff transforming the Aviation Museum into this year’s ‘Holiday Festival of Toy Planes and Model Aircraft.’ It takes about three weeks for us to install and light and decorate all the trees. Come see it for yourself!
