The Manx Aviation and Military Museum will celebrate it’s 25th anniversary on November 1.
In November 2000, the Manx Aviation and Military Museum opened its doors and in its first year saw over 2,000 visitors.
Since then the museum has expanded in size with three new buildings and in 2005 it took responsibility for the care of the Manx Regiment Museum and now welcomes over 8,000 visitors a year.
The museum, which is an entirely independent and self-supporting charity, is run by volunteers who take great satisfaction from the amazing and enthusiastic reactions of visitors.
25 years
Museum Director Ivor Ramsden MBE said: “We try to illustrate the stories of Manx people from 1900 onwards and particularly, of course, during the two World Wars where the Isle of Man contributed an enormous amount and paid a heavy price.
“Many people are astonished to learn what a huge part the island and its people played, and still play, in the defence of the UK and the island. Visitor reviews on TripAdvisor and Google regularly rate the museum with 5 stars making it one of the highest-rated attractions of the Isle of Man.”
The museum will mark 25 years of success by holding a special day for visitors on November 1 when volunteers will be on duty throughout the museum to talk about the exhibits and the stories behind them.
Thriving
Visitors will be able to examine and even handle some of the museum’s objects which are not yet on display.
The preserved Manx Airlines ATP aeroplane will also be open on Saturday for the final time this year.
Museum Chair, Norman McGregor Edwards, said: “For an entirely voluntary organization to create and run such an important and thriving historical attraction is a huge achievement of which the Island can be justifiably very proud.
“We look forward to many more years welcoming visitors to learn more about our Island history.”
