Bowling Green’s Aviation Heritage Park & Museum celebrates National Aviation Day

BOWLING GREEN, KY – National Aviation Day, celebrated every August 19, honors one of America’s greatest innovations: flight.

Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, the day marks the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright, and recognizes the contributions of the Wright Brothers and others who shaped the future of aviation.

Since 2023, the Aviation Heritage Park and Museum in Bowling Green has been carrying that mission forward. Executive Director Bob Bubnis said the museum has already drawn attention from around the world.

“Since the museum opened, we’ve had people from nearly every state in the Union come to visit us,” Bubnis said. “We’ve had people from 20 countries come to see us, and the result of all of that is that it has had an impact on people’s lives.”

The museum’s exhibits highlight both aviation history and Kentucky’s connection to the skies. Outside, visitors can view aircraft from the Cold War and Vietnam era, including the fighter jet once flown in combat by Bowling Green’s own Brigadier General Dan Cherry. Inside, a Piper Cub honors Glasgow native Willa Brown, the first African American woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license.

For Bubnis, the museum isn’t just about planes, it’s about the people who flew them.

“So many of the people here put others before themselves,” Bubnis said. “What we try to emphasize here is the story of bravery, courage, self-sacrifice, honor, and duty. How so many of these people have put their lives on the line to defend us, to defend our way of life, to make sure that America is America.”

The exhibits aim to do more than preserve history. They’re designed to inspire future generations to dream bigger.

“From the very beginning, it was designed to educate, inspire and engage that next generation,” Bubnis said. “We need positive role models. And I think especially when you look at all these people coming from this region, south central Kentucky, it does go a long way in telling young people that anything is possible—that you cannot reach too high. You could go from Bowling Green to the stars.”

While National Aviation Day lasts just 24 hours, the Aviation Heritage Park and Museum is dedicated to keeping these stories alive and ensuring the legacy of aviation continues to soar for generations to come.