Museums
continue to share Solano, military history Daily Republic Staff
A
nyone who is interested in local history has no shortage of places to go to get a taste of what makes Solano County the place it is today. There are museums in Benicia, Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo, Rio Vista, Benicia and in rural Suisun Valley – each with something different to offer. Be sure to check with the museums as they reopen for new access requirements linked to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Travis Heritage Center The Travis Heritage Center holds an extensive collection of aircraft and artifacts detailing the history of Travis Air Force Base, airlift, space exploration and military air power. Founded in 1983, the center is surrounded by an impressive collection of restored historic military aircraft that includes the B-29 Superfortress, a Vietnam-era B-52 Stratofortress, an F-4C Phantom Fighter, a C-124 Globemaster II, a C-47 Skytrain and an F-86 Sabre fighter. Inside, there are exhibits containing artifacts, documents, aircraft models, uniforms, aircraft nose art and photos from the dawn of military air power in World War I to present-day military and humanitarian operations around the world. Due to post-9/11 security concerns, aviation lovers will need a base visitor’s pass to see the Travis Heritage Center. Location: Travis Heritage Center,
400 Brennan Circle, Travis Air Force Base More information: 707-424-5605, www.travisheritagecenter.org
50 |
Discover Solano
Travis Heritage Center
American Armory Museum The American Armory Museum strives to educate future generations about, and impress upon them, the sacrifice, bravery and enduring significance of the U.S. military. Numerous vehicles are on display, with some available for rides. Various static displays are also set up to illustrate life in the field while in the armed forces. The museum features such military vehicles as the 1955 Larc amphibious cargo hauler, the M35A2 cargo truck, the 1944 M5A4 artillery tractor, the M936A1 wrecker and recovery truck, the FV433 Abbot self-propelled artillery vehicle, the HET 1070 heavy equipment transport, an Israeli M-5 half-track armored personnel carrier, a Ford GWP jeep, the M561 Gama Goat amphibious vehicle and the
Super Mack heavy-duty truck. Ask in advance about ride fees. The museum opened in May 2016. Admission is free, although donations are accepted. Call for hours. Ride fees for vehicles are to be determined and are subject to change without notice. Location: 4144 Abernathy Road,
rural Fairfield in Suisun Valley
More information: 707-389-6846,
info@AmericanArmoryMuseum.org, www.americanarmorymuseum.org.
Western Railway Museum Electric trains still rumble through rural eastern Solano County, just as they did some 75 years ago. Today, it’s all for fun, rather than providing mass transit between the Sacramento and Oakland areas. The Western Railway Museum runs
classic trains on a portion of the old route near the Montezuma Hills. Volunteers care for the tracks, overhead electrical wires and old streetcars and trains. Visitors can go for a ride, explore dozens of restored streetcars and learn about the history of urban and interurban electric train services in Solano County and California. The F.M. Smith Memorial Library features a circulating collection of books that are available to members. The library also hosts periodic activities and events. Location: 5848 Highway 12, between
Suisun City and Rio Vista
More information: 707-374-2978,
www.wrm.org
Vacaville Museum Since it was established in 1984, the Vacaville Museum has prided itself FALL/WINTER 2021
