Ellsworth Air Force Base - South Dakota Air and Space Museum

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South Dakota Air and Space Museum

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is the largest museum dedicated to aviation in the Midwestern United States. The four indoor Galleries and gift shop are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m. from May - September, and 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. October - April, (Closed January -February for maintenance). The outdoor air park (aircraft. missile, & bomb displays) reflects the above hours, however, during January - February the gates will be open on a limited schedule. The Museum features a large airpark with aircraft static displays, exhibits inside the hangars and a first-class gift shop managed by the Ellsworth Heritage Foundation (EHF).

Admission is always free to the museum and its airpark. The bus tours of Ellsworth AFB and the Minuteman II missile silo are available mid-May through mid-September for a nominal fee.

The EHF is always very active in the operation of the S.D. Air and Space Museum. They are currently accepting applications for membership. Any person, organization or corporation may become a voting member of the EHF by making a tax deductible contribution to the Foundation. Any person, organization or corporation may make a tax deductible contribution in the memory of some person in the form of a Memorial Membership. Membership categories start at $10 for one adult and increase depending on the type of membership. All EHF members receive a 10% discount in the S.D. Air and Space Museum gift shop. More information can be obtained by contacting the foundation at 605-385-5189.

The museum is located at 2890 Davis Drive immediately adjacent to the main gate of Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The museum is outside of the installation, so special access or identifications are not required.

The museum director, Mr. Carl Engwall and curator, Tech. Sgt. Duane Cole can assist you with scheduling special events, tours, retirements, change of commands etc. and answer questions about how the museum operates, acceptance of donations as well as specific exhibits inside the museum. They can be contacted at 605-385-5188 or emailed at carl.engwall@ellsworth.af.mil & duane.cole@ellsworth.af.mil. The museum's media and public outreach representative is Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson. Sergeant Wilson can be emailed at steven.wilson2@acc.af.mil.

The Ellsworth Heritage Foundation can assist you with gift shop questions, silo tours and group visits. They may be reached at 605-385-5189.

Points of Interest

In addition to a number of other exhibits, the South Dakota Air and Space Museum currently features:

- 25 aircraft ranging from World War II bombers and transport aircraft to the contemporary B-1B Lancer

- 4 different missiles, including a Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

- The South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame

- A Missile Procedures Trainer Exhibit

- An F-106 interactive aircraft cockpit

- A B-1B Cockpit and Offensive/Defensive System Operators Simulator

Future Exhibits

Disclaimer: Restoration has not begun on any of these historical artifacts, although restoration planning is currently underway. No dates for completion and/or display have yet been established.

F-102 Restoration Project

AGM 28A Restoration Project

B-36 Engine Restoration Project

Titan I Missile Restoration Project

The PRIDE Hangar

The PRIDE Hangar

Quick Facts About the PRIDE Hangar

Free Admission

South Dakota's premier aviation museum has FREE admission and parking.

During the summer months, visitors can take a base bus tour for a nominal fee. This includes touring a Minuteman Missile Training Launch Facility as well as seeing a number of sites on the base.

Moving the B-1

Follow the link below to read the Air Force Link news story about moving the B-1.

Click Here for the Story.

Follow the link below for images of moving the B-1 from the restoration facility at the flightline to its current position in front of the museum.

Click Here for the Images.

Inside Ellsworth AFB