390th Memorial Museum — Attraction in Tucson

I am a descendant of 390th bomb group/569th squadron Captain William T Dinwiddie, my grandfather (Poppa). Poppa was pilot of B-17G #231134 "Gung Ho" for 30 missions over occupied Germany during WWII from February 28th to May 30, 1944.

Over spring break, I had the opportunity to visit the museum for the first time in my life. I can't say enough great things about the experience. This museum is so well done, there are no words. Pima A&S Museum itself is impressive...you walk by harriers on the way to 390th! But 390th has captured the sacrifice paid by my grandparent's generation in a way that is hard to not to feel while you are there. It is one thing to read about it in history books and your grandfather's mission log. It is something all together different to be immersed in the machines they built, flew and survived in together.

A ground crew barrack or Nissen Hut, set the stage for what life was like on base in Framlingham, England in 1944. A fully restored B-17 that you can walk around and look inside of from several different vantage points. Mission logs. Crew photos. A-2 flight jackets. Nose art. Large scale recreation of Parham base. But what really made the experience stand-out is the staff of the museum. There were several volunteers positioned at each of the exhibits genuinely enthusiastic to engage in conversation and answer any questions.

And then Fiona Holter, Director of Collections, Archives and Exhibits. THANK YOU. Fiona was kind enough to pull my grandfather's A-2 flight jacket from archives and allow my family to view it privately. I'm not certain this will be the only time I will be at the museum in my lifetime, but likely the only time I will be there with my wife and three daughters...just the five of us. Your gesture was very meaningful. Thank...

Absolutely incredible experience visiting the 390th Memorial Museum! Highly recommend for anyone visiting the Tucson area. I am so incredibly thankful for the amazing volounteers and staff here, who blessed me immensely with their knowledge and care.

I knew that my Grandfather had fought in the war, but didn't know many details beyond the general fact that he was a gunner on the top of the planes that flew missions in Europe, his name, and that he had visited Piccadilly while there. With this limited information, the absolutely amazing staff offered to look him up in their archives and we discovered SO much information about him because of their efforts! I learned that he flew with the 390th and was stationed in England. That he was in the 569th bomber group and best yet, that his picture was in part of the exibits! I was able to learn about his role on the planes and see how he lived during those years. The experience of seeing my Grandfather honored there among so many other heroic men was a once in a lifetime experience that could not have been possible without this museum and staff. I learned more in a single afternoon there about my Grandfather and what he experienced than anything I've learned from my family in 38 years.

I had no idea that I would be able to make this connection when deciding to visit the Pima Museum, but I am so incredibly thankful that I did. Being able to learn the history of my family as well as experience the incredible story of the 390th was truly a blessing to me. I am so thankful this museum exists, and so grateful to the wonderful people who dilligently keep these memories alive at the 390th Memorial Museum. From the bottom of my...

There's something for everyone here. Younger people can see what their fathers or grandfather's flew in weather as pilots, crew or passenger in when they served in the arm forces of years gone by. It's a lot of walking but there's a lot of buildings with great displays and air conditioning. If you want to tour the airplane graveyard where hundreds maybe thousands of old or out of service for the time being are all parked waiting to serve again. This is an additional cost for the bus that gives you the tour from the safety and climate control environment of a tour bus. They also have a small tour train that brings you around the grounds while the whole time the driver narratives you trip. It's a lot to take in for a one day visit. You can make multiple visits to really see everything there. NOTE: If you want to see the graveyard you have to make a reservation at least 10 days in advance so they can do background check on everyone who wants to visit this area. If you get hungry during your visit the food that's available is very good and at a reasonable price. I highly recommend everything they have to offer and don't forget to wear a hat, sunblock, sunglasses and a water bottle or two. Have a great day and don't forget to take...