Naval aviation museum exhibits come alive
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

UWF theater students are helping bring the National Museum of Naval Aviation to life.

The National Museum of Naval Aviation takes great pride in not only its grand collection of Naval aviation history - including over 150 restored Naval aircraft - but also through the ability for all guests to walk right up to these incredible birds with no obstruction of ropes or glass encasement.

And through the first hand experiences of the museum volunteers, guests also receive the historical stories of the aircraft from those who actually flew them and know all too well the experiences of combat and war.

Now, taking it even a step further, the stationery aircraft and museum memorabilia will be joined by actual people dressed in period clothing representative of the times and places and events within several areas of the museum.

The University of West Florida's theatre and history departments have offered some of their talent to become a living, breathing part of the museum's Naval history.

The second floor will be the specific area where this history will be brought to life. One section, known as Homefront USA, beckons visitors to take a stroll down Main Street Pensacola during 1943 to experience life as it was for the millions who stayed behind during World War II.

Two actresses will be stationed at Homefront USA, acting out the lives of wives and mothers and sisters of men serving overseas. They will read the letters they received from their family members in the service as well as discuss what this war did to those left back home. Typical war time experiences for these women included working around the clock at factories that formed the "Arsenal of Democracy" and enduring strict rationing of everything from gasoline to butter.

Just around the corner from Homefront USA is a recreation of life during the war in the South Pacific. Diaromas of wartime life on Guadalcanal and an aircraft carrier leave nothing to the imagination.

And with another touch of life to the experience, a UWF actor will be dressed in a flight suit and will offer his portrayal of a soldier in the grips of war taking a moment to talk about his family back home.

"We take great pride in bringing the history of Naval Aviation to life for all who come through our doors," noted Shelley Ragsdale, marketing director for the National Museum of Naval Aviation. "The actors portraying the lives of these men and women during World War II will enhance this great experience even more."

Between the hours of 9 am-5 pm, take a moment to meet some of the wartime people from the homefront to the front lines of war - all through the talents of the UWF actors now enhancing the experience of the National Museum of Naval Aviation to new heights.

For further information, please contact Julian Katz of Lewis Communication by phone: 251-476-2507 or Shelley Ragsdale, Marketing Director for the National Museum of Naval Aviation by phone at 1-800-327-5002 or 850-453-2389.