Museum proposed for Fort Wayne's Smith Field

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Proposed legislation would designate the main hangar at Fort Wayne's Smith Field as the National Airmail Museum.

Museum advocates estimate the project would cost about $2.5 million to develop, and are raising funds on their website, The Journal Gazette reported .

The U.S. Postal Service started airmail delivery in 1911. Commercial airmail service came to Smith Field in 1930.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks proposed the bill, which mentions that the U.S. doesn't have a national museum dedicated to airmail. The legislation also said no federal funds would be made available for the museum.

"This museum would be a great addition to the community and a vital tool to educate Americans on the significant role airmail played in the evolution of aviation," Banks said.

The website for the proposed museum shows outlines ideas for aircraft displays, interactive exhibits, photography displays and a headquarters for Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 2.

"Visitors will be transported back to a time when Fort Wayne played an essential role in the development of the Airmail Service and supported the efforts of WWII," according to the website.

Smith Field is named in honor of Art Smith, a celebrity stunt pilot from Fort Wayne who died in a plane crash near Montpelier, Ohio, in 1926.

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Information from: The Journal Gazette, http://www.journalgazette.net