M A A F M Traditional Cache
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The Millville Army Air Field Museum (MAAFM) preserves U.S. military aviation history and that of the Millville Army Air Field. Museum programs and tours focus on education about Millville's vital role in aviation history and the history of the P-47 Thunderbolt. MAAFM salutes our veterans and honors the past and present, with a look into the future, of aviation with unique displays and collections. The museum is a federal nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1983.
The cache is a well stocked ammo box which is located in the Millville Army Air Field Museum which is located in the original Base Headquarters Building. The Museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday. This cache is placed with permission. If you don’t spot the box immediately, just ask. The staff will be more than happy to help out. In addition, MAAFM generously donated several items in the cache from their gift shop.
You will want to be sure and take some time to explore the museum with its many interesting displays. On one of our recent visits, we were fortunate to run into one of the veterans who served our country and has donated many of his personal artifacts to the museum. He was a prisoner of war during WWII and has many fascinating stories to share.
There are two actual historical planes to examine outside the museum. Touring the Millville Army Air Field Grounds will turn up several old buildings, monuments, and informational plaques. There are also two aviation themed restaurants where you can eat and watch as planes land and take off.
Please be respectful of all property and any posted signs. This cache should not be attempted outside of posted museum hours.
Here is a brief history of the Air Field and Museum from the MAAFM literature and website.
(visit link)
The Millville Airport was dedicated "America's First Defense Airport" on August 2, 1941 by local, state, and federal officials. In less than a year, construction of military base facilities began, and in January 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a gunnery school for fighter pilots. Gunnery training began with Curtiss P-40F "Warhawk" aircraft, but after a few weeks, the P-40s were gone, and the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt" ruled the skies over Cumberland County. During its three year existence, thousands of soldiers and civilians served here, with about 1,500 pilots receiving advanced fighter training in the Thunderbolt.
Following the War, the airfield was declared excess to the governments needs, and returned to the City of Millville. Most of the airport buildings were converted to apartments for the many veterans returning from the war. The last of the apartments vanished in the early 1970s, and the airport soon became a hub of industry and aviation for Southern New Jersey.
The roots of the Millville Army Air Field Museum go back to the early 1970s. Millville Airport manager Lewis B. Finch had just completed eliminating the last apartments in former base buildings and looked forward to major industrial development at the airport.
Most people in the community were aware the airport had been an army base, but knew no details of its history. This was Millville Airport when teenager Michael T. Stowe learned of some underground bunkers just south of the airport.
Stowe explored those bunkers and surrounding areas and later began to find related artifacts. For nearly ten years, he continued to collect artifacts and information, and in 1983 he approached city officials about a permanent place at the Millville Airport to display his collection. Stowe's original collection of artifacts and airfield data remains the cornerstone of the Millville Army Air Field Museum.
The museum's collection has grown through donations of time, effort, and artifacts from surrounding community and the community of veterans who served at the Millville Army Air Field. Today, both the museum and Millville Airport continue to grow and prosper through the Delaware River & Bay Authority's management of the airport and the museum gaining recognition as a leader in World War II and post war aviation history. The Airport is also the home of the Millville Wheels & Wings Airshow.
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