Artcom Museums Tour: Kalamazoo Air Zoo, Kalamazoo MI

The Air Zoo has preserved and restored to airworthy condition many of the world's greatest aircraft - those which played a major role in America's efforts to restore peace in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the battle over the Persian Gulf.

The Air Zoo, known as one of the world’s finest aviation museums, in April 2004 will be known as the only aviation theme park in the world! Combining the best of museums and theme parks – the “new” Air Zoo will delight and amaze visitors of all ages, including live character actors portraying the most notable names in aviation history. Talk to Orville and Wilbur Wright after their historic flight at Kittyhawk or Charles Lindbergh after his record-setting flight over the Atlantic. Groups can become part of the mission over Nazi occupied Germany aboard a World War II Flying Fortress in Michigan’s only 4D theatre. A 3D theatre will put you aboard the space shuttle, whose destination is a trip around the International Space Station. Two carnival-style rides, depicting hot air balloon flights and bi-plane rides will be featured inside the museum. See the world’s largest mural (40’x 400’) as it portrays the history of aviation. In addition, full-motion flight simulators, changing exhibits from the Smithsonian Institute, a restaurant, expanded museum gift shop and nature trails will round out your experience. The “new” Air Zoo will be the third building in a three-building campus where each building features a different experience. A Flight Research and Education Center will house an impressive display of World War II aircraft, while the Flight and Restoration Center will be home to the many ongoing aircraft restoration projects. The Flight and Restoration Center is open by special appointment only.

Current Exhibits and Upcoming Special Events

KALAMAZOO, Mich., April 29, 2004 - The Air Zoo, one of the nation's premier aviation and aeronautics institutions, set a record today for the largest indoor mural. The mural was commissioned to pay tribute to the history of flight in the Air Zoo's new multi-sensory aviation attraction, which is now open to the public.

The hand-painted mural currently measures 15,681 square feet. Upon completion, it will measure 25,000 square feet (excludes areas covered by attractions), which is equivalent to the length of three football fields.

"Century of Flight" is the creation of renowned aviation artist Rick Herter. Tony Hendrick serves as the project's assistant artist.

"I want people to walk inside the Air Zoo and escape to another place in time," Herter says. "The mural helps them do that by making the physical walls seem to disappear."

The mural depicts major moments in aviation history from the first hot-air balloon ride to journeys into space, and now the mural itself has made history, says Stuart Claxton, research manager, Guinness World Records.

"Guinness World Records is all about celebrating ordinary, everyday people who do extraordinary things," says Stuart Claxton. "Today we congratulate the Air Zoo and artists Rick Herter and Tony Hendrick for developing a mural that is not only breathtaking, but it also has set a Guinness World Record as the largest indoor mural."

The new Air Zoo, more than double its original size, features vintage aircraft, including the only remaining SR-71B Blackbird spy plane; flight simulators; amusement rides; Smithsonian exhibitions; character actors; and a 4-D theater, which combines 3-D filmmaking with other special effects.

"The new Air Zoo doesn't just teach people about history, it surrounds them with it," says Bob Ellis, executive director of the Air Zoo.

The Air Zoo's 4-D theater presentation, "Missions, Salute to Heroes®," tells the compelling story of young airmen flying deep into the heart of World War II Germany in 1943. Visitors will experience startling in-theater effects such as shaking seats and simulated anti-aircraft fire.

"There will always be something new to see," Ellis says. "Because of our partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the Air Zoo has access to over 142 million artifacts and an endless source of world-famous traveling exhibitions."

The first exhibition sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution is "Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe." The exhibition allows visitors to learn about the telescope's history, design and purpose, as well as gain a greater understanding of planets, stars, galaxies and intergalactic space.

"We're excited to see the folks at the Air Zoo turn their dream into a reality," says Aaron Glavas, affiliations coordinator for the Smithsonian Institution. "The new Air Zoo will give people a dramatic, first-hand look at the fascinating world of aviation and aeronautics."

The Air Zoo is a full-service attraction, offering a restaurant, gift shop and banquet facilities. It will open daily at 10 a.m. General admission is $19.50 for adults, $17.50 for seniors 60-plus and $15.50 for children, aged 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under enter free. Group rates are available for advanced purchase. For more information, please call 1.866.524.7966.

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Mar. 24, 2004 – "Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe," an exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, headed to the Midwest this summer. The exhibition is on view at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Mich., from May 1 through June 13, 2004.

The exhibition's only stop in the Midwest this year will coincide with the May 1 opening of a dramatic expansion project at the Air Zoo. The new Air Zoo will feature more than 80 vintage aircraft, character actors in the roles of famous aviators, amusement rides and 4-D theaters, which combine 3-D filmmaking with other special effects.

"We're excited to see the folks at the Air Zoo turn their dream into a reality with the new Air Zoo development," says Aaron Glavas, affiliations coordinator for the Smithsonian Institution. "The new Air Zoo will give people a dramatic, first-hand look at the fascinating world of aviation and aeronautics, and the Hubble exhibition will enhance that experience."

With the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope 10 years ago, scientific knowledge of the universe has greatly expanded. "New Views of the Universe" allows visitors to learn about the telescope's history, design and purpose, as well as gain a greater understanding of planets, stars, galaxies and intergalactic space.

The exhibit features a 1:5 scale model (2.7 ft.) of the Hubble telescope, hundreds of images it has beamed to earth and plenty of hands-on activities. For example, visitors can try on a pair of pressurized gloves worn by astronauts and see what it's like to perform simple tasks in zero gravity.
Other exhibit areas explore the formation of the solar system and different types of galaxies. Visitors can use "cosmic" computers to hurl comets at Jupiter and manipulate cyclones on Mars to learn about planetary activity. They will also have the opportunity to guess the age of stars based on their color.

As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Air Zoo will have access to over 142 million artifacts and an endless source of world-famous traveling exhibitions.

"The Air Zoo's affiliation with the National Air & Space Museum is unique because of our long-term working relationship," said Michael Carrigan, director of Smithsonian Affiliations. "We hold in high regard the professionalism and expertise of the Air Zoo staff."

The Air Zoo opened in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1979 primarily to restore and preserve aviation artifacts and aircraft. The Air Zoo is currently restoring the XP-55 Curtiss Ascender for the National Air & Space Museum.

"Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe" has been organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Space Telescope Science Institute, operated for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. The exhibition and its educational programs have been made possible through the generous support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Offices of Space and Science Education and Lockheed Martin.

Tickets to "Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe" are included as part of the regular admission ticket price for the Air Zoo.

The opening of the new Air Zoo is likely to make Kalamazoo, and the state of Michigan, a destination spot for thousands of tourists. The Air Zoo predicts the museum will draw 300,000 visitors annually.

"The Air Zoo is going to have an immediate impact on the local economy through jobs, visitor spending and admission," predicts George Erickcek, senior regional analyst, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. "If the Air Zoo draws 300,000 visitors annually to the area, we estimate that wages and salaries in Kalamazoo County will increase by $9.9 million, and the facility will generate 360 jobs, including the Air Zoo's current staff of 50."

Hours:

Admission & Directions:

General admission is $19.50 for adults, $17.50 for seniors 60-plus and $15.50 for children, aged 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under enter free.

The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is off I-94 Exit 78, 1 mile South on Portage Road, just past Milham Road, look for Air Zoo Entrance on left. (East side of Portage Road)

Key Personnel:

Robert Ellis, Executive Director
Deputy Director: Wayne Kruger
Marketing Director: Renee Newman

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Kalamazoo Air Zoo

Statement of Purpose

Highlights & Collections

Current Exhibits and Upcoming Special Events

Hours:

Admission & Directions:

Key Personnel:

Tell us what you think.

Thank you again for your visit.

This page and all contents are © 1995-2014 Art Emotion Corp., IL. USA.
All information is subject to change - This document is non contractual.

Kalamazoo Air Zoo

Statement of Purpose

Highlights & Collections

Current Exhibits and Upcoming Special Events

Hours:

Admission & Directions:

Key Personnel:

Tell us what you think.

Thank you again for your visit.

This page and all contents are © 1995-2014 Art Emotion Corp., IL. USA.All information is subject to change - This document is non contractual.

This page and all contents are © 1995-2014 Art Emotion Corp., IL. USA.
All information is subject to change - This document is non contractual.