Military History Center of the Carolinas plans to open museum at Greenville Downtown Airport in S.C.
September 1, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – For many years, members of the Military History Center of the Carolinas (MHCC) have been dedicated to preserving our American Military History by collecting and restoring items to take to events throughout our nation and within our local communities. This group, which has members from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, have conducted a sort of “traveling museum”. Last year alone they visited 67 locations. Families and individuals; young, and not so young; male and female; about 50% veterans, and many others who have never served, help make up this diverse group. Their mission is to honor veterans, teach school children and the general public about the Revolutionary War, American Civil War, World War One, World War Two, Korean War and Vietnam by interacting with real historical items.
“Our group has members with a wealth of experience running a museum, and many other talented people, that have the expertise to run a successful nonprofit museum. Our desire is to set up a special place where people can touch items not just view them in a glass case. We will still go out into the community and do events, like we always have, but this will give us a home base,” stated Bruce Roensch, MHCC’s Treasurer. “I have been moved by my interactions with vets when they see and touch items that they remember from their past”, Roensch said.
“MHCC has access to many military vehicles, armaments, historical period attire, books and everything else that is needed to fill a museum. We just didn’t have a building to put it all in until the Greenville Airport Commission (GAC) graciously offered to work with us on getting into a building which is right beside GMU’s Runway Cafe and Park. It is the perfect location for us!” stated Sam Cooper, MHCC’s President. “Our 65 members were drawn together by a mutual desire to restore items. We hope to welcome new members who have historical information and time to share. We also hope people will consider donating to help us make it happen!” Cooper added.
“The building, located at 14 Airport Road Ext, Greenville, SC 29607, can be a great fit but it also needs a lot of work to transform it into a museum for school kids, and the public alike, to visit. Big items are the number of new restroom stalls that are needed and, of course, all the handicap accessible items to meet building codes, which will also help to better serve our aging veteran population,” stated Joe Frasher, Airport Director at GMU. “Many pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers and our local community members or their family members have served in the military and we feel this is a perfect fit for our community’s airport.” explained Frasher. “We hope that others will agree and step up to help.”
“The building, which we believe was built in the 1940’s, maybe when GMU was a military glider training base, is a Butler Building The Butler company is still making military hangars and such. We are looking into its history and hope to bring it back to its former glory!” stated Wayne Scholtes, President, Emeritus of MHCC.
Want to help? You can make a donation to The Military History Center of the Carolinas (MHCC) which is a tax-exempt 501-C3, non-profit corporation. It can mailed to 208 Circle Slope Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29681. Please note that it is for the new museum. If you are willing to physically volunteer, we could sure use the help!
About Military History Center of the Carolinas (MHCC)
MHCC was originally formed in the mid 1990’s under the name Military Collectors Club of the Carolinas. In 2009, the group was incorporated in South Carolina as a non-profit and was approved as a tax-exempt 501-C3 organization by the IRS. The name was changed to Military History Center of the Carolinas in July 2015 to better reflect the full scope of MHCC operations. For more information about MHCC, please visitwww.milhcc.org or contact Sam Cooper at [email protected] or 864-346-5026
About GMU
GMU is the busiest general aviation airport and third busiest airport overall in South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that doesn’t rely on local taxpayers for funding. GMU is home to Greenville Jet Center, the largest Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in S.C., as well as more than 25 other aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy. For more information about GMU please visit http://www.
