Visit
- Hours
OPEN:
Tuesday to Saturday
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
CLOSED:
Sunday & Monday
2023 Holiday Closures
- Memorial Day, May 29
- Independence Day, July 4
- Labor Day, September 4
- Thanksgiving, November 23 – 25
- Christmas, December 23 – 26
- New Year’s, January 1
- Admission
Free Entry
**Effective January 1st, the WASP Museum will start charging admission.**
Last entry into the Museum: 4:30 PM daily
Please consider a donation to help further our efforts in providing a memorable experience!
Special Events
The WASP Museum may close early or be closed to accommodate special events hosted at the Museum.
Please check our social media and events page for updated closure information.
Located at 210 Avenger Field Rd. Sweetwater, Texas 79556
- MEET WITH A WASP TEAM MEMBER
Our Archival Team’s and Executive Director’s regular working hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. If you wish to meet with a team member during the week or make a special Saturday appointment, please email archive@waspmuseum.org or call 325-235-0099.
- Group and School tour REQUESTS
If you would like to schedule a tour, please contact Buffie McAnally at least 2 weeks in advance at 325-235-0099 or at info@waspmuseum.org.
Educational Tours: Suitable for school groups, homeschool co-ops, or clubs in grades 2-12, our educational tours include interactive exhibits led by volunteers and Museum staff. Minimum of 10 students is required with a maximum of 60 students. Advance registration is required.
Guided Tours: Suitable for groups of 10-60 participants. Tours Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm are free. Evening tours and tours on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays are available for a fee of $5 per person. Advance registration is required.
- POLICIES
- Food & Drink: Please finish any food or drink before entering the Museum. Resealable water bottles are permitted.
- Animals: Service animals are welcome in the Museum. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Pets are not permitted.
- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited inside the WASP Museum and within 25 feet of any entrance.
- Parking: RV parking is available on the east side of Hangar 1. Buses and large vans may temporarily park in the circle for loading/unloading only. Please do not park in the Nolan County Sherriff’s Office parking lot across the street.
- Photography: The WASP Museum permits still photography for noncommercial use unless authorized.
- Shirts & Shoes required for entry.
- What will I EXPERIENCE at the museum?
The Museum campus is located on Avenger Field which consists of 15 acres of land backing up to the Sweetwater Airport. Two hangars, a 1929 original, known as Hangar 2, and a replica of Hangar 1, used by the WASP at Avenger Field, are located on the property.
Hangar 1 holds exhibits depicting WASP leadership, the training experience, and life in Sweetwater. Additionally, it educates the visitor on duty base assignments, deactivation, fight for the veteran’s status and Legacy Pilots from the 1970s – today. A highlight of the Museum is the WASP in the Spotlight exhibit series. Changing quarterly, this exhibit displays collections of individual WASP. Collections vary in size and scope, but all highlight their WASP and post service experiences. Learn more about current collections here.
Hangar 2 holds aircraft including a North American AT-6, Boeing PT-17, Vultee BT-13, and Cessna UC-78 when not out flying.
Guests are encouraged to visit the Wishing Well, an original structure, located between Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and the Sweetwater Airport, approximately one mile from the museum campus. This well became the focus of a pilot training tradition. When a pilot completed her first solo flight, cohorts would toss her in as a rite of passage.
If you stand at the flag poles overlooking Avenger Field, there are fifteen WASP ashes spread out on the old runway that was used during the WASP training in 1942-1944. These WASP chose to return to Avenger Field as their final resting place. On the concrete ring bordering around the flag poles, there are nameplates of the thirteen WASP.
WASP Families: If you wish to have your WASP ashes spread on the grounds of Avenger Field, please contact lisataylor@waspmuseum.org.
Symbols of the WASP
Fifinella
Why is this Tinkerbell-like creature often seen hanging around the WASP? Brought to life by author Roald Dahl and drawn by Walt Disney, Fifinella became the official mascot of the WASP. She flew with the WASP on their jackets in the form of patches and has even flown in combat with today’s female Air Force Pilots.
