Who knew Wendover had this treasure! Wendover Utah is the home of the WWII airbase that trained the Enola Gay crew. It was shrouded in secrecy, in the middle of nowhere, and today - everyone can see this piece of history! If you're passing through - don't miss this! It's worth your time!
Historic Wendover Airfield is a place that I would like all the people in the United States to see. I want people to see and understand for themselves what can be done to show the strength of our
Country working together. I want young people to know that they live in the best country of the world and that their forefathers came together here to save the rights and privileges that we freely enjoy without fear.
In order to begin to show the strength of our country we, (HWA volunteers), have worked to put forth an accurate restoration of as much of the Base as possible in the time and with the funds we have available. I personally worked on the restoration of the Norden Bomb Site Building. It was so interesting to learn about the accuracy of the Bomb site. I learned how protected this instrument was. It was the top secret weapon of WWII. The building was so very basic, bare bones, and yet the most highly protected building on the base. I learned how the designers and engineers worked together to make this instrument so accurate and how it helped to win the war. The Diebold bank vault doors are still in position to protect the bombsite. I learned that women were put into use because the men were needed to fight the war. It really gave me a sense of pride, as it did the daughter of a bombardier who was based and trained in Wendover during the war. She burst into tears knowing that her dad had been in that very building. It was a fulfilling moment for me.
The Officers Club has been a perfect example of what can be done in the restoration of the Base. The materials used, the displays, the volunteers who tell and share some of the stories known about the base are a perfect start. It is very rewarding to tell a guest about the Officers Club and see in their faces that they had no idea about the roll and training performed here. It is important to have a place to give families a glimpse into the young lives of their family member. It is also such a revelation to community members who didn't even know there was/is an airport in Wendover.
It seems to me that, as our introductory film says, if we don't save this historic place, no one will know what has/can been done to keep our Country safe and free. I have talked with teachers who didn't understand why we went to war in the first place, why "we had the Holocaust"! Historic Wendover Airfield must be saved. We want to keep our Country free and whole.
That is why I want everyone to come to see Historic Wendover Airfield. Please come on your next trip to the desert.
This is a great museum that really brings the life style of the Second World War to life for me. The exhibits are well thought out and amazing (they have a paper crane folded by Sadako Sasaki!). It tells the story of training for bomber crews as they prepared to go overseas. The amazing part is the number of original buildings here and the restoration of some of them - the museum says walk where they walked and YES you really do! My group took the flightline tour and saw the Enola Gay hangar and atomic bomb loading pit - incredible history that I did not know still existed! Highly recommended.
The Historic Wendover Airfield is not only an iconic piece of history, it is run and maintained by some of the most active, knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers I've seen anywhere.
It truly is a 'trip back in time. Standing on the open ramp area, inside the Enola Gay hanger or looking down into the pit used to load the B-29's with their Top Secret munitions is a moving experience. You can almost see and hear the ghosts of the military and civilian personnel on site back in the 1940's.
I highly recommend making the time to visit the Musuem and the grounds and if possible take a full guided tour of the facility. You will be educated and entertained!
Whether flying into Wendover or visiting its two museums and historical buildings, the Wendover airport is an unforgettable walk through history. Some of the most storied World War II aviation groups trained in Wendover and the airbase is the most enduring World War II airfield in the country. When visiting the airport you'll enjoy an authentic, immersive WW II experience.
Historic Wendover Airfield is a unique piece of American history that needs to be preserved and cherished. Our foundation has worked so hard to keep the memory of this airfield alive, while honoring the men in women who served here. The airfield was important to a lot of people; it shaped them into skilled contributors that helped the United States claim victory in WWII. It needs to be just as important to all of us now. Get involved; whether it be through volunteering or through you financial contribution. Everyone can help make a difference.
Historic Wendover Airfield is a unique air field from World War II, dedicated to preserving the legacy of the men and women who trained there.. Its role in preserving the history of the site is unsurpassed, allowing visitors to step back in time. It is one of the last remaining training fields from that era where most of the flightline buildings are still intact, along with many other original buildings. It is also the base where the crew from the Enola Gay trained in preparation to drop the world's first atomic bomb. The hangar that housed the Enola Gay still stands on the field, along with the buildings that supported other training activities.
The support buildings and hangars on the flightline, along with the barracks, the chapel, the original control tower, and other buildings, are being restored to their near original condition to tell the story of the men and women who trained there.
At the heart of the base is the original Service Club which was the scene of many great parties and celebrations. From its black and white checkered linoleum floor to the dance hall stage, it has been brought back to life. Walk in, and you can almost hear the echoes of the young men and women as they relaxed there, sharing their training stories, dancing to the live orchestras of the day, and toasting to their future.
The airfield is a jewel in the open expanse of western Utah worthy of a visit. Check their calendar for tour dates.
Historic Wendover Airfield offers a chance for visitors to step back in time. The organization oversees many original World War II structures. A number of these have been completely or partially restored, and ongoing efforts continue to preserve what is the most complete Army Air Force training base remaining in the country. The dedicated staff, interpretive exhibits, and engaging programming create a unique learning experience for all visitors.
I have been volunteering with this museum a number of times. It is an amazing place where you can really feel the history of World War II. The exhibits and tour bring the old buildings back to life and help me picture a time that you usually only can read about. a definite must not miss stop if you are travelling on I-80 and worthy of planning a destination stop as well!
The Historic Wendover Airfield Inc mission to restore and preserve the most consequential heavy -bomber training base during WWII is beyond necessary.
The dedication of all the volunteers at HWA is second to none. The HWA leadership surpasses larger and better funded WWII museums in every way.
My volunteer experience was so positive, I plan to return and help in any way possible.
Historic Wendover Airfield, Inc., is working to preserve the facilities where many WWII combat units trained - including my Father's 384th Bomb Group and the atomic bombers of the 509th Composite Group (and many others) - with the intention of educating visitors about the scope and effort involved in preparing vast numbers of men and machines to resist the forces of evil and preserve our Freedoms. Their accomplishments in rehabilitating period structure and adapting them to their mission is almost miraculous. In addition to the respect they show to the history and the men who made it, they welcome visitors with the same respect and proudly show what happened here so long ago. History lives at Wendover.