The Seymour Municipal Airport Authority recently made a couple of changes, including one regarding the hours of operation for the Freeman Army Airfield Museum.
That decision involved extending the open time of the museum on Saturdays by one hour.
During the board’s Dec. 19 meeting, museum curator/treasurer Larry Bothe said increasingly in recent times, visitors have been arriving later and wanting to stay later.
“Effective on the first Saturday of the new year, Jan. 7, we will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. instead of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Bothe said. “The other thing is that we settled on a date for museum Airplane Ride Day in 2023, and it will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.”
The museum, located at 1035 A Ave., preserves, protects and displays artifacts from the World War II era, covering the time period between 1942 and 1946.
Freeman Army Airfield performed two distinct functions during those years: Training bomber pilots for the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and 1944 and acting as the Foreign Aircraft Evaluation Center in 1945 and 1946.
The museum has a wide range of exhibits, including firearms and edged weapons, the original base firetruck and much more.
While there are no whole airplanes, there are a number of aircraft engines and propellers from World War II and many parts, large and small, from enemy aircraft that were here after the war ended.
There are two buildings, about 3,000 square feet each, located across the street from the terminal building at Freeman Municipal Airport.
Bothe also said the museum received a postcard from Duke Energy to let them know there will be electrical work along Airport Road starting in January.
“The work could require lane closures and flagging with increased line trucks,” he said. “The stated purpose is for system upgrades and increased reliability. No word on how long this will be going on.”
Another change at the airport is the lower fuel prices.
”For those of you who have not yet noticed, the price of 100LL at our airport has been lowered from $6.55 per gallon down to $6.15,” Bothe said. “We were out of the market at the higher price. Cross-country flights were avoiding Seymour, and based aircraft were stopping elsewhere for fuel on return trips.”
Airport Manager Colin Smith reported fuel sales have increased 40% since the reduction took place.
Another tanker of fuel will be needed soon, and the expected lower cost per gallon will result in a further reduction in the price at the pump.