Estrella WarBirds Museum

During late 2010, the Estrella Warbirds Museum board of directors began looking for and planning out a means for expansion.   The museum has become a very popular destination. 


The high number of artifacts collected over the past twenty years was beginning to take a toll on available storage. Two 5,000 square foot buildings had been added in the past five years. During the same time period, both facilities had outgrown their original size. At least 2500 square feet were added to both buildings. Along with the increased facilities and artifacts, the visitor tallies have been steadily increasing. What was once a sufficient sized gift shop, became minimal in size. Additional restroom facilities were needed. What started as an intimate library/research center was requiring more space. Office/management space was at a premium.   Overseeing two separate artifact buildings (Freedom Hall and the Brooks Building) required additional personnel and much closer coordination.

Special thanks to Ron Brooks, Mike Levine and Wally Engle, for the on-going pictures!

The design team went to work. Create an answer to the above noted problems and at the same time establish a new grand entrance which would tie two primary facilities together. Plans were made, estimates were drawn up and, like every other structure on the premises, funds were needed to be raised to pay for it.  Our goal always has been, to never be a burden on tax payers, the city, or the state.

In late 2011, the Hind Foundation granted $243,563 to the Estrella WarBirds Museum to build the new facility connecting the existing Freedom Hall to the Brooks Building. The museum will dedicate the new facility to the Hind Foundation by naming it the Hind Pavilion, which will showcase the many exhibits and artifacts that the museum  could not display due to lack of space.

The addition incorporates all the original design plans with the new gift shop being moved to the new Hind Pavilion. Moving the gift shop and management offices opens up room for the research library to be relocated in the original gift shop space, which also brings the research library down to ground level.


Watch this space for continuing development!