Museum renovations update old exhibits

by Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  -- Visitors to the Barksdale Global Power Museum will soon enjoy updated exhibits thanks to the efforts of the museum staff and volunteers.

New initiatives include rebuilding and renovating rooms to highlight historic events, aircraft, places and people from Barksdale.

"Our goal is for our visitors to learn something new every time they walk into the museum," said Amy Russell, museum director. "My staff and I have been working to keep the rooms and display items up to date and ever changing."

The museum director estimates by October all seven room renovations and new displays will be finished and ready.

"One of the rooms that we are excited about is the early aviation room," said Russell. "The room is going to have 'hands-on' exhibits where children can do experiments and other activities."

Along with the planned early aviation room, the museum has completed renovations on two art-gallery rooms and a Barksdale the man room, which highlights Barksdale Air Force Base's namesake: Lt. Hoy Barksdale.

"In the Barksdale the man room we have a replica of Lt. Barksdale's house where he grew up," said Russell. "From furniture, a fireplace mantle to other artifacts from Lt. Barksdale's home and life, the room showcases the man who Barksdale is named after."

History and technology could also soon be merging with exhibits. With virtual tours and smart phone technology, the museum will take a step into interactive participation with visitors.

"I am looking into getting an audio tour set up so visitors can listen to Barksdale history while walking through either the museum or air park," Russell said. "With the addition of smart phone technology, we will be able to set-up QR codes that visitors can scan and get more information on specific exhibits."

According to museum records, the majority of visitors to the museum and air park are retired military, but renovations and reworked displays will give base history a new look and possible new and younger visitors.

"I am incredibly pleased with what Amy has done with the museum since being here," said Bruce Stewart, Air Force Global Strike Command historian. "She has brought new ideas and enthusiasm to the museum, and far exceeded our expectations; I never would have imagined that the museum would have progressed this far so fast."

The museum staff and volunteers are the constant driving force, behind the renovations that have been, and are currently, in work.

"Without my staff and the volunteers, the renovations or many of the other jobs out here couldn't be done," Russell said. "We can always use volunteers to help with taking care of the aircraft in the air park or helping us to work on projects for the museum."

To volunteer or more information on the museum or upcoming exhibit openings contact the museum at 456-2840.