History

From Modest to Major

Over its 45-year history, the Air Zoo grew from a nine-plane hangar display to a stunning, world-class aerospace and science education center with over 100 rare aircraft and spacecraft, interactive exhibits, and cutting-edge educational programs for people of all ages. 

Our Founders; Our Founding Collection

Without realizing it at the time, Air Zoo co-founders Suzanne Parish and Pete Parish went to work curating our founding collection. After serving with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), Sue met and married Pete, a former WWII Marine Air Corps aviator. In 1959, Pete purchased half interest in a single-engine 35C Bonanza, and, before long, the couple purchased a Stearman Biplane. Next came an AT-6, followed by a Grumman Wildcat. When word traveled about a partially assembled P-40 in Addison, Texas, Sue couldn’t resist. It was the combat plane she had always dreamed of flying as a WASP. Following a detailed restoration, this desert pink Flying Tiger became Sue’s trademark aircraft. That very airplane hangs in the Air Zoo’s atrium today.

An Air Zoo is Unleashed

Sue and Pete had always wanted to share their enthusiasm about World War II airplanes with the public. So, when a friend offered to give them his Grumman Bearcat if they agreed to open a museum, they jumped at the chance. The Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum opened its doors to the public at 3101 East Milham on November 18, 1979. The museum became popularly known as the “Air Zoo” because of the distinct animal names of the aircraft in the original collection, including a Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat, and Flying Tiger.

The Air Zoo Today

Four decades later, the Air Zoo continues to tell those significant World War II stories through our 1940s aircraft displays and exhibits focused on the Guadalcanal campaign, WASPs, black fighter pilots, and the Doolittle Raid. We’ve also expanded the story to include Early Flight, the Golden Age of Flight, the Cold War/Jet Age, and Space. Amusement park-style rides send children’s imaginations soaring in our Flight Innovation Center, erected in 2005, and an array of simulators give fearless pilots a wide variety of flight experiences. Over 100,000 artifacts and archives help us tell a myriad of stories about aerospace heritage and innovation. From that small hangar that opened in 1979, we’ve grown to provide our visitors with more than 100,000 square feet of combined exploration, education, and exhibition space. Our once modest displays now include such heavies as the world’s only SR-71B Blackbird. Our STEAM-based education programs ignite imaginations while our exhibitions, including industry-leading, international travelling shows, offer engaging experiences to visitors of all ages and learning styles. And historic aircraft are given a new lease on life through restoration on public view in our renowned Flight Discovery Center. Oh, how we’ve grown!

The Air Zoo and You!

With 45 years of Air Zoo history as our runway, and the sky above as our landscape, the Air Zoo’s future is big and bright indeed.  There are several ways you can significantly support us as we continue to impact our community in amazing ways. Consider becoming a volunteer, intern, employee, donor, or visitor today!