Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit coming to Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum
 

[August 19, 2016]  SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum will host the “Tuskegee Airmen, Rise Above” traveling exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport from September 13 – 17, 2016.

This unique traveling exhibit features a 160-degree panoramic movie screen housed in a 53’ semi trailer. Expandable sides allow the trailer to accommodate 30 – 40 individuals who can experience the original movie, “Rise Above,” a film about the Tuskegee Airmen who overcame many obstacles to train and fight as U. S. Army Air Corps pilots during World War II. Along with the movie, the exhibit features a WWII-era P-51 Mustang fighter, a signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen.

“We are honored to be able to bring the Tuskegee Airmen – RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit to Springfield,” says Douglas E. King, Board President of the Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum. “The heroic contributions and efforts made by the Tuskegee Airmen to our country and to the world during World War II goes beyond commendable. That story needs to be told and retold because it is a piece of history that often goes untold.”

Gina Gemberling, Executive Director of Visit Springfield, the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “We’re excited to have the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit visit Springfield. New exhibits expand our tourism product and encourage increased travel and spending in the Springfield area.”

The Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau works to promote, service and sell Springfield, Illinois as a leisure and convention destination of distinction.

[Kristen Chenoweth]