New Exhibit Is Veritable Scrapbook

(Courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum)A new exhibit created on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Naval Aviation Museum is a veritable scrapbook telling our story.

Golden anniversaries only come around once and, in the case of the National Naval Aviation Museum, this year marks that momentous milestone. While the museum was established with its mission outlined by the authority of the Secretary of the Navy in 1962, not until June 8, 1963, did it open its doors to the public for the first time. That 50-year story is told in a new exhibit that has opened on the museum Quarterdeck.

The summer of 1963 was a monumental time in American history as the Civil Rights Movement swept across the South and American astronauts rocketed into space taking the early steps towards realizing President John F. Kennedy’s goal of reaching the moon. In popular culture a band called the Rolling Stones released its first single and moviegoers were first introduced to a spy fond of martinis shaken, not stirred. That year New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle made $100,000 dollars and Jack Nicklaus captured the first of his six Masters titles.