MISSION:
We explore and celebrate the generational impact of commercial aviation by bringing together resources, experiences, and community.
VALUES:
Welcome – We embody the encouraging and positive environment that has always been part of our story.
Preserve – Both the history and future of the industry.
Educate – Learning comes in all forms, at all ages, in many methods. We encourage curiosity, exploration, discovery, and dreaming.
Connect – Just as air travel brings people together, we create spaces for those connections to happen.
Inspire – Flight shows us anything is possible.
ABOUT:
The Northwest Airlines History Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 by Henry V. “Pete” Patzke – a Northwest Airlines and NWA Federal Credit Union executive, and developed and run with an all-volunteer crew. The History Center has a public museum located on the third floor of the Crowne Plaza AiRE MSP Hotel, near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Bloomington, MN, as well as a large archive located at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, MN.
We are now working toward building a permanent museum – ideally at Flying Cloud Airport – which could house full-size airliners and airport gear; classrooms and workshops; event and performance space; and a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the Minnesota River Valley. If our funding and developments are successful we would be looking at opening this signature facility in the mid to late 2020s. Visit the Join Us page to learn how you can become a member and financially support this project!
MUSEUM HOURS at the Crowne Plaza Aire:
Thursday-Saturday: 11am-5pm
Park for free in the attached ramp – use the designated “Hotel Parking” spaces only.
ADMISSION:
FREE!
Your donations are greatly appreciated.
FOOD:
The Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel has a coffee stand near the front desk, and a restaurant, the AiRECraft Grill.
STAFF:
- Chairman: Mike Vetter
- Vice Chair: Scott Norris
- Secretary: Tim Haskin
- Treasurer: Jeff Schwalen
- Museum Manager: Chuck Huntley
- Collections Manager: Bruce Kitt
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
- Jeff Schwalen
- Mike Vetter
- Scott Norris
- Kimm Viebrock
- Tim Haskin
- Jayne Stenstad
- Chuck Huntley
Directors serve fixed terms, and we are always interested in adding new skills and experience to our team. If you are interested in joining us at this level, please click on this link to learn more!
YOUR FINANCIAL GIFT:
Contributing funds to our organization is easy – and we send you confirmations so you can claim donations on your taxes. Just click here to go to our donation page where you can pledge any amount – every dollar counts!
