Military Aviation Preservation Society

There are three major assets that we talk about at the museum. We have 46 aircraft at various stages of restoration including a glider, a WWI tri-plane, a WWII bomber, and many cold war jet fighters. We have created over 60 displays in our Gallery of Heroes that illustrate many of the critical events in aviation history. Three of these displays are included in our US History program, Pearl Harbor, Tuskegee Airmen and Rosie the Riveter. Our most impressive asset is our tour guides. Most are veterans but all are aviation enthusiasts. We currently have over 700 memberships which correspond to 1,085 individuals who documented over 54,400 volunteer hours.

The museum has become an integral part of the community. We have hosted events in support of the Green Historical Society, Green Chamber of Commerce, Jackson/Belden Chamber of Commerce, the Canton Visitor's Bureau, Honor Flight and the Red Cross. The Hangar was used to send off and welcome home local National Guard Units to and from Iraq and Afghanistan. We have created educational programs for the Indian Guides, an elementary school, an NEOEA Day for teacher continuing education with The University of Akron. We have created several Cub Scout Days and a Girl Scout Day. We conduct two Boy Scout Campouts where we teach the Aviation Merit Badge, three WWII Pilots and a Vietnam Pilot speak to the scouts, then we watch "Tuskegee Airmen." These special events keep us focused on our mission.

This was written by a teacher after a visit. "The opportunity for students to have a hands-on experience of some of these aircraft was invaluable. No history book or lesson is ever going to replicate or mimic the chance to sit in a WWII era bomber or the cramped cockpit of a Soviet MiG. One of the greatest impressions left upon students were the stories and details provided by the tour guides. The fact that the students had the opportunity to ask questions of former service men was a real blessing. For some students it may be the first time that they had the opportunity to meet a veteran from WWII or Korean War era. I can honestly say it made me proud as a teacher, and father, to hear our students personally thank the tour guides for their wealth of knowledge and their service to country."

Last year, we created a relationship with the Portage Lakes Career Center to create an Aviation Program. The high school students will receive college credits in aviation by attending the program. There are three potential programs that they have available; pilot, air traffic controller and mechanic.

We also absorbed the Ohio Military Museum that was located in Massillon, Ohio. We have allocated an entire section of the hangar for their displays which go back to the civil war.

MAPS Air Museum is focused on education and we have a very bright future. We would like to thank you for your generosity and support.