FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 2, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: KIRA CALM LEWIS 301-446-3327 –or- Kira.CalmLewis@pgparks.com;
IYANA MOORE - 301-446-3313; Iyana.Moore@pgparks.com - or -
ANDREA COCHRANE TRACEY 301-864-5310 - or- Andrea.Tracey@pgparks.com
Airmail Centennial Takes off at the
College Park Aviation Museum and Airport
Riverdale, MD – The College Park Aviation Museum and the College Park Airport will mark the 100th anniversary of U.S. Post Office Airmail Service with a weekend celebration August 10-12, and a new exhibit will allow guests to explore the story of this spectacular achievement.
College Park Airport bears the distinction of being the world’s oldest continuously operating airport. It was established in 1909 so Wilbur Wright himself could provide flight instruction to the first Army pilots, and it’s affectionately referred to as the “Field of Firsts.” It’s here that the first female passenger in America took flight, the first mile-high flight by a military aviator happened, and the first controlled helicopter flight occurred. It’s also here that the nation’s airmail service officially got its start. From that momentous day – August 12, 1918 – the entire aviation industry grew, with companies that began delivering mail ultimately becoming the first passenger airlines.
To celebrate all that’s managed to happen in the world of air travel in the past 100 years, the College Park Aviation Museum will debut a new exhibit called “Delivering America: Airmail to Email” on Saturday, August 11. The exhibit explores how those airmail pilots set into motion some amazing innovations that then affected everything from travel to communication throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. Guests of all ages are welcome to explore the museum and enjoy getting up close to a display of historic aircraft gathered especially for the event. There will be no admission charge that day, and visitors can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities.
WHAT: Airmail Centennial Celebration Family Day
WHEN: Saturday, August 11, from 10 AM – 4 PM
WHERE: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740
COST: FREE
On Sunday, August 12 – the official centennial of the first airmail delivery by the USPS with civilian pilots and aircraft – a “Jenny” will take off from the College Park Airport to reenact that original airmail flight. Spectators are invited to be a part of history as they watch the departure of the Jenny as it takes off between 6:45 and 7:30 a.m. While the pilot makes his way through the sky, those early-rising spectators will be invited to a celebratory pancake breakfast on the airfield and in the hangar.
WHAT: U.S. Airmail Flight Reenactment, Fly-in & Pancake Breakfast
WHEN: Sunday, August 12, from 7 AM – 10 AM
WHERE: College Park Airport, 1909 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740
COST: More details to come
For more information about the centennial of airmail or the College Park Aviation Museum, which offers year-round educational opportunities in a fun and interactive environment, please visit CollegeParkAviationMuseum.com