While the American Air Museum was officially opened on 1st August 1997, its story began much earlier. In 1977, a year after the Imperial War Museum acquired Duxford airfield for the purpose of opening an aviation museum, the 8th Air Force Memorial Museum Foundation was formed. This new organization, working closely with the 8th Air Force Historical Society, set its sights on acquiring American warbirds for display in one of Duxford’s hangars. As the exhibition grew to feature more aircraft, including a B-17 and B-52, it became clear that a more ambitious home was needed. In 1986 a US charity was created with the purpose of raising funds for the new museum. A state-of-the-art building, designed by eminent architect Norman Foster and named the American Air Museum in Britain, was proposed. Rather than just focusing on the Second World War, the collection would be a tribute to American air power from World War One through to the Cold War. But such a grand scheme carried an equally impressive price tag - £15 million.
In 1989 a fundraising campaign was officially launched at the British Embassy in the United States. A direct mail campaign spearheaded by none other than Lieutenant General James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle invited prospective donors to become "Founding Members" of the museum with a donation of $25 or more. During the first year of fund-raising, 15,700 donors contributed more than $520,000 - a much better response than initially expected. One of the first founding members was Hollywood actor Brigadier General James "Jimmy" Stewart, who had served as a B-24 pilot with the Eighth Air Force during the war. Stewart persuaded fellow actor and WWII veteran Charlton Heston to join the fundraising committee as Co-Chairman. Thanks to the drive and hard work of the project's supporters, the financial commitment of heritage organizations in the UK, and the generosity of donors in the United States, enough money was raised to begin construction. In 1995, fifty years after the end of the war, the ground was officially broken by 78th Fighter Group veteran Major James "Jim" Stokes, who was watched on by 300 USAAF veterans.
The number of founding members had increased to 55,000 by the autumn of 1996 and showed no sign of slowing down. The opening of the new American Air Museum in August 1997 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a huge celebration of Anglo-American cooperation. Even after the museum had opened, donations from the direct marketing campaign continued to pour in for the provision of further exhibits and facilities - these donors being honoured as "sustaining members". In 1999 direct mail brought in $1.3 million, making it the most successful museum appeal of its kind. For almost two decades the names of every Founding Member were listed in a book displayed at the museum. However, the fragility of this hefty tome meant that it was retired to IWM's archive during the museum's 2016 refurbishment.
Your donation helps us preserve the personal histories of American airmen and women who served from Britain during the Second World War. Through digitization, research, and public access, we ensure their courage and sacrifice remain accessible to families, scholars, and future generations.
