Piper Aviation Museum is dedicated to the dream and vision of William T. Piper. He believed a low cost but simple to operate airplane would be in demand, even in the ‘darkest depths of the ‘Great Depression.’
William T. Piper was given the title the “Henry Ford of Aviation”. This was earned because Piper manufactured more airplanes than anyone in the world at the time.
Piper Aviation Museum is housed within Piper’s former engineering building nearby William T Piper Memorial Airport. The Museum is located at 1 Piper Way in Lock Haven Pennsylvania. Lock Haven is 30 miles west of Williamsport PA, and 200 miles south of Rochester New York.
It was acquired as a museum in 1997 and a non-profit organization. Its goal is preservation of the history of Piper Aircraft by displaying their archives to the public. The museum combines aviation history with the story of “the planes that taught America how to fly” the Piper Cub.
The museum includes aircraft, models, artifacts, historic photographs, archives and advertising. The life of Piper Aircraft’s founder William T. Piper Sr. is revealed by his contribution to the airline industry. He responded to the need for light personal aircraft. At its peak Piper had three manufacturing facilities, two in Florida and one in Pennsylvania.
The story began in the late 1930’s as one of American enterprise. The company of Taylor Brothers Aircraft filed for bankruptcy. Local oilman William T. Piper purchased their assets for $761. The factory was moved to Bradford with a fire destroying the factory in 1937. An abandoned silk mill was found nearby in Lock Haven as a suitable site for the factory. It was renamed the Piper Aircraft Corporation, maintaining its headquarter in Lock Haven until its closing in 1984.
Operations were maintained at Lock Haven throughout World War II. But after the war it was decided their location in Lock Haven would not allow continued growth. In 1955 it acquired rights for property at Vero Beach Municipal airport. This new location was designated for design and production of the Piper Cherokee series.
Torrential rains in 1972 from Hurricane Agnes resulted in flooding of the Susquehanna River. The Lock Haven facility was nearly destroyed. The manufacturing plant was flooded resulting in damage to parts, airframes, and tooling. It initiated the decision to discontinue production of several designs, transferring selected production to facilities in Florida. Within 5 years all operations were transferred to facilities in Florida. Piper headquarters is currently located at Vero Beach Municipal Airport in Vero Beach, Florida.
Museum Hours are:
March 2 to November 30
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM -4:00 PM, Saturday: noon – 4:00 PM
December 1 to February 28
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM -4:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM -4:00 PM
Admission $6.00 - allow 1 hour minimum, Guided tours are available
If you have an interest in airplanes, you know about Piper aircraft. Here is an opportunity to learn more by visiting this historic American aircraft company.
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