Millville Museum Keeps World War II Aviation History Alive, Boosts Tourism

The Millville Army Air Field Museum, located at Millville Municipal Airport, serves as a focal point for Cumberland County residents and visitors interested in the region's World War II aviation history. The museum's collection includes restored aircraft and engine displays, along with rotating exhibits that interpret wartime operations and the contributions of the Millville Army Air Field training base. Educational programming is directed at schools and families, and the facility stages restoration projects, veterans talks and living history demonstrations.

Visitor information is offered seasonally. The museum typically opens on weekends with select weekday hours during the museum season. Admission is generally handled through recommended donations, and guided tours are available by scheduling. Special exhibits revolve around active restoration work and the local wartime story, and the calendar occasionally includes holiday themed events alongside veteran focused programming.

For Cumberland County the museum plays multiple roles. It is a repository of local identity that connects current residents to the city's military and industrial past, and it functions as a modest tourism draw that supports nearby restaurants and small businesses when events and school groups are on site. Educational visits give students direct access to primary source material and artifacts, strengthening local history curricula and public understanding of the region's contributions to the war effort.

From a policy perspective the museum exemplifies how cultural institutions can advance heritage preservation while contributing to economic activity at the local level. Maintaining restored aircraft and engines requires ongoing funding and skilled volunteers, and the institution's value grows when coordinated with county tourism promotion and school outreach. As the population of World War II veterans ages, the museum's veterans talks and oral history efforts also take on increasing urgency.

The Millville Army Air Field Museum remains an active community asset for Cumberland County, offering residents a way to engage with regional history while generating modest economic and educational returns through tourism, programming and preservation work.