By Tori Pfeifer
Off Telephone Road towards the west side runway of Hobby Airport in Houston, there’s an old building that, at first glance, might not seem like much. What most people don’t know is that this historic building was the first commercial airport in Houston and is the starting point in the city’s aviation history. The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is a glimpse into both the past and present of Houston’s aviation history and offers so much more than what meets the eye.
The building was open for about 14 years before air travel quickly outgrew it after World War II ended, says Amy Rodgers, executive director of the museum. Although the building remained open as an office space for Hobby and private flights, it was completely closed in 1978 where miniscule city-work kept it standing, she continues. It wasn’t until 1998 when the Houston Aeronautical Heritage Organization, a private nonprofit group, restored the art deco-style building with money raised through private donations, grants, and fundraisers.
“What’s really exciting is that we’re able to preserve this piece of history,” Rodgers says. “While there are a lot of aviation and air museums around the nation, ours is different because it’s on both a historic site and active airport property.”
During a visit to the museum, guests can learn about the various planes and airlines that flew through the terminal as well as general and civil aviation history, and they can view vintage items and donations that were generously given to the museum — including vintage airplanes in the almost century-old hangar building.
“One of the coolest things people can see are the flyovers that happen during the day at Hobby Airport,” says Rodgers. “People can park and go around back where there’s places to sit, and they can watch active airplanes. Kids love to see it and it’s a great family friendly thing to do here.”
Rodgers says the museum holds different events and classes during the summer for kids and adults alike. Every month on the third Saturday, the Wings and Wheels event features different planes that fly in for the event. Other exciting attractions at the event include vintage cars and visits from car clubs, food trucks, arts and crafts for kids, and much more.
Along with kid-friendly movie nights during the summer, plane-spotting classes give kids a more in-depth, educational experience at the museum.
“Kids will learn how to identify different aircrafts, how planes fly, and the basic principles of flying an aircraft,” Rodgers says. “We take them on tours to different facilities on the property, too, and it’s a great experience they might not get just by having a general admission ticket for a visit.”
A visit to the 1940 Air Terminal Museum not only gives people a look into what helped Houston grow into the city it is today, but also into preserved, vintage art deco architecture that defines the building’s history. Even though it’s an aviation-centered building, that isn’t the only attraction of the museum, adds Rodgers.
“Saving an old building doesn’t mean that it will only have one purpose,” says Rodgers. “We’re getting the chance to inspire the next generation. Whether they’ll become preservationists or go into aviation, we get to help jumpstart that.”
Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for kids ages 3-12, and free for kids under 2. Additionally, free admission is offered to veterans and their families, and to active fire fighters, police officers, and their families as well. For more information on the 1940 Air Terminal Museum, visit www.1940airterminal.org.
