The Connecticut Air & Space Center is an aviation museum located near Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, Connecticut, that is focused on the history of aviation in Connecticut. Founded by George Gunther in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, it occupied buildings 6 and 53 of the complex from 2001 until 2022. It now currently occupies a portion of the Curtiss Hangar and is open to the public.[1]
The Connecticut Air & Space Center was founded in 1998 by state senator George Gunther.[2] By 2000, the museum was given access to Building 6 (the former R&D Hangar for Vought) to open in the former Stratford Army Engine Plant.[3] The museum grew in size with multiple aircraft projects being acquired and exhibits designed and built. The property was still owned by the US Army at the time, and therefore only allowed visitors that were 18 or older to be able to visit.
In 2012, the museum was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.[4] Since the museum did not possess a lease for Building 6 (located on the Stratford Army Engine Plant property) the looming fear of being evicted was always prevalent and a constant worry for the staff. Those fears were finally realized in 2022 when the museum was informed that after 22 years, they would be forced to vacate Building 6 completely. The museum was offered Building 4 (a World War II Chance Vought era Quonset Hut) directly across the street to continue to store large artifacts and equipment.[5] By the beginning of 2025, the museum was then ordered to vacate Building 4 and be moved completely off the Stratford Army Engine Plant entirely, ending over 25 years of continual occupancy at the historic site.
The museum is currently renting out an external storage / archives space as well as a separate small workshop to continue to restore vintage aircraft. These rental spaces continue to put a strain on the museum's modest budget.
Curtiss Hangar
Foreseeing the anticipated eventuality of eviction from the plant, museum leadership began working with the Town of Stratford and City of Bridgeport to secure a 98-year lease for the dilapidated 1929 Curtiss Aircraft Hangar in 2015.[citation needed] Groundbreaking for the restoration occurred in May 2016.[6] In 2018, the museum received a $1 million grant from the state of Connecticut to restore the hangar.[7] The museum opened a portion of the property in a 3,600sqft (330m2) 1960's era addition to the Curtiss Hangar in May 2021.[8] A plan to sell the airport in 2022 put plans for renovation and use of the Curtiss Hangar in jeopardy.[9] Museum staff continue to work tirelessly with state and local officials to begin the major construction work needed to restore the vintage hangar. Though numerous setbacks external (and not related to the museum) have caused the project to be further delayed. It is hoped that major construction will begin in 2026.
Collection
After gaining access to Building 6 in 2000, the museum then began collecting aircraft and artifacts for eventual display. A T-33, T-37, and T-38 were acquired on loan from the GSA and transported from AMARC in Tucson, Arizona. An S-58 / H-34 and S-52 / HO5S-1 were acquired from Orlando Helicopter. In addition a loan program with the USMC Museum allowed for an O-2A Skymaster and a second Sikorsky S-52 / HO5S-1 to be acquired. In 2008 the Sikorsky Memorial Corsair (located on the other side of the airport) was removed from it's pedestal to be restored back to static display condition by the museum. In 2017, a Sikorsky S-76 was donated to the museum for use as a parts source.[10] Some years later Sikorsky donated two additional S-76s to the museum as well. To date the museum currently has 18 aircraft / helicopters either on display, in restoration, or in storage.
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