Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum

Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale

The Only Military Museum in Broward County

Serving as one among 257 air stations during World War II, and as one of a few specialty schools for training on the TBM/TBF Avenger aircraft, the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NASFL) made a big impact on the South Florida region, and the United States as a whole. The NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum (also known as the Link Trainer Building #8), stands as the only reminder from what it once was a naval complex of more than 200 buildings.

Mission Statement:
Educating. Preserving. Honoring the Heroes

Our mission is to develop and maintain an internationally recognized naval aviation museum that educates young and old alike, to preserve history by honoring the memory of Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale and the men & women who defended freedom during World War II.

With the help of many volunteers, this Museum has also been instrumental in preserving the memory of Flight 19, one of the great aviation mysteries. Flight 19 flew out of NASFL on 5 December 1945, to vanish into the Bermuda Triangle. In addition, 19 year old future US President George H.W. Bush lived at this base as an Ensign, to train as a torpedo/bomber pilot. Since then, the vast complex of buildings that housed the air base have been all demolished. All, except for the Link Trainer Building #8 - our current Museum.

On the U.S National Register of Historic Places.
The only Military Museum in Broward County.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Link Trainer Flight Simulator on exhibit (Historic Engineering Landmark).
Recreated Soldier's Barracks: The George Bush Room.
Also on exhibit: vintage aircraft and ship models, insignias, flags, WWII instruments & memorabilia.
Art on Exhibit: 25x7 Aviation Mural and other original paintings, cartoons, illustrations, line drawings and military poetry.
The Museum captures Naval Aviation's WWII heritage and brings its story of challenge, ingenuity and courage to you.
Research Library available with 3,000+ volumes ranging from personal memoirs to aircraft carrier cruisebooks, naval magazines, to historical works.
A photograph collection with more than 10,000 images of aircraft, ships, people and historical events; combined with a collection of letters, manuscripts, technical manuals, Aviator log books and diaries.

Link Trainer Building #8 - An Historic Building

The NASFL Museum is also known as the Link Trainer Building #8. On May 20, 1998, prior to moving from its former address at 4050 SW 14th Avenue, this building was added to the U.S National Register of Historic Places, thanks to the efforts of Allan McElhiney and a small group of aviation and history enthusiasts, who in 1979 had formed the "Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association." For many years they worked tirelessly and eventually they succeeded: the building was thus saved from demolition. Broward County Commissioner Lori Nance Parrish, was able to obtain a $200,000 grant from the U.S Transportation Department in 1999, and the building was moved to its present location at 4000 W. Perimeter Road. To accomplish the move at the end of 1999 and through the first days of the millennium, a crew had to cut the 300 ton building from the old foundation, jack it up hydraulically, and place it on a grid of steel beams supported by multiple tires. Before that, asbestos was removed from the building's walls and the frame was reinforced to code.

Moving "On Final Approach" Mural & Link Trainer Building # 8

In December 1998, Bob Jenny's high aviation mural "On Final Approach" was dismantled and relocated to the Link Trainer Building #8.
Then at the end of 1999 and on the first days of the millennium the Link Trainer Building was moved to its current location.

- click on thumbnails to enlarge and read descriptions -

Restorations continue to this day. The preservation has been worth the effort because of its historic significance. All thanks to a visionary individual who foresaw the importance of safeguarding a bygone era, this Naval Museum was established: Support this Museum & learn about the history of NAS Fort Lauderdale with the book: Allan McElhiney - One Man's Vision

History of NASFL: One Man's Vision

This Museum began with the vision of one man, who was a sailor in World War II. Nothing in the history of the City of Fort Lauderdale had greater impact in its growth and prosperity than its Naval Air Station, which was established in 1942. After the war, returning veterans created a population explosion in the area that dwarfed the 1920's land boom. This naval base provided an important catalyst for the growth and economic expansion of South Florida. Recognizing this fact, the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association can be traced to one man: Allan McElhiney who devoted much of his life to preserve a part of its history. When the war ended, the base closed its doors and the buildings were all but forgotten. Progress was about to eradicate the past to make way for a new Airport, but thanks to the long fight of a visionary man who saw the significance of safeguarding a bygone era, a Naval Museum was established.

With more than 100 vintage images from the WWII Period. This book is the inspirational story of one man who's commitment to the cause of preservation has encouraged many to look into our past, to safeguard our future.

The book is available in Softcover for $16.99 and Hardcover for $24.99 from Lulu Press and it's now available at AMAZON. You can also order it from your local bookstore. All proceeds from this book will go directly to the Museum, a Non-Profit Organization.

EDUCATING . PRESERVING . REMEMBERING THE HEROES
This Website was launched on August 3, 2010
Latest Update: May 24, 2013