MUSEUM STORE NEWS Aviation Merchandise Huge Hit by Mary Gartner,


Museum Store Manager


The Centennial of Naval Aviation Celebration (CONA) started with a loud bang at our Museum Store with sales higher than they have ever been. There has been so much excitement surrounding this event, it’s contagious.


by Rachel Lieu, Registrar/Archivist


As the Museum continues to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation, a special display case, in the Museum’s lobby by the Visitor Center desk, will feature a rotating display of local aviation heroes. During the time that the CHA staff spent researching the history of aviation in Coronado many stories were shared of unique individuals and heroic adventures. Five of these heroes, Vice Admiral Stanhope Cotton Ring, Admiral James Stockdale, Rear Admiral James D. Ramage, Rear Admiral Aaron Putnam Storrs and Vice Admiral Edward Martin are all featured in the Museum’s year-long exhibit with photographs and personal mementos describing their illustrious careers.


Henry Mustin


The case in the lobby will focus on the careers of other unique individuals with careers in the Navy who call Coronado home. Henry Mustin was our first featured aviator who not only helped design the Navy’s golden wing insignia but was also the first man to be catapulted in an airplane from a ship into the blue skies off the coast of Florida in 1915. His family has lived in Coronado for three generations.


Another long-standing and well-known Coronado family is featured currently. Admiral John Sydney McCain was instrumental in Allied air operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His family went on to serve the US Armed Forces for three more generations, including Senator John McCain’s noted career as a Navy fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. Admiral McCain’s home will be featured on this spring’s Home Tour.


The case will continue to feature a new aviator, or Navy service men linked to aviation, every six weeks until the close of the exhibit. The next aviator to be featured is Commander Clarence “Johnny” Johnson, followed by Lieutenant Commander Keith Boyer, whose wife, Lauris, lent a number of his personal items to the exhibit WINGS OF GOLD, including his wonderful collection of aviator wings. This summer will bring a welcome remembrance of Captain Thomas P. Jeter, Commander of the USS Bunker Hill, followed by airplane mechanic Commander Herb Franck. Both men were active during World War II.


8 www.coronadohistory.org


Our custom designed tee-shirts are a huge hit! Dale Mann is a wonderful graphic artist who has worked with us on many projects over the years. He really outdid himself on this one. The images he designed are available on shirts, cards and matted prints. Also available are cards and prints of images from our archives of Glenn Curtiss and Theodore Ellyson and more. (tee-shirts are available in men’s and ladies styles.) We have caps and patches with the official CONA insignia embroidered on them. Commemorative license plate holders, bronze coins and key chains round out the collection. There are several books in stock on naval aviation, Glenn Curtiss, and the history of North Island, as well as two new books on Coronado.


You can browse our aviation items, which are arranged in a special display at the front of the Store, any day of the week or by visiting our online store at www.coronadohistory.org. Most of these products will also be available at our Home Tour “store” on May 8.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12