Flying over Winfield

This year the Henry County Preservation Commission article about the Winfield Museum will focus on the 1911 Curtiss Pusher Model D biplane replica. It’s almost, one of a kind and we are proud to show it off. Thanks to the hard work of past board member Bill Klopfenstein his helper and wife Carol and Gary Miller, it got made. Not an easy task taking them all summer in 2011. When the kit arrived, there was only a diagram and parts, but no step-by-step instruction on how to do a very complex model.

The Eastern Iowa Fair was held in Winfield for over 50 years from 1882 to 1935 when flying was so new in our country. This biplane landed at the fair and it was a major attraction. People from Burlington and all over came by train. Yes, Winfield had train tracks and two depots back in the early 1900’s. As excitement grew, the weather got worse. Finally, a day later, Hugh Robinson made a quick flight around Winfield. In an open seat, it had to be the thrill of a lifetime to fly like a bird over our town and farmland.

The model replica we have on display is built to 1/16 th scale with a Ken doll in the seat. Bill and Gary set up tables in Bill’s garage and spent many hours figuring it all out. They even called England to get the proper covering for the wings, which was not included in the kit.

It has been said that “museums spark passion – passion for stewardship, for historic preservation, for storytelling, for learning – and so much more.” The Winfield Museum tries to do just that.

Please bring the family any Monday from 10:00 to Noon or call the city and we will open at a time convenient to you. As our school goes to a four-day week next year – the museum is open in the mornings, so kids can visit us and learn about all kinds of things. You never know how something they see as a child might spark a lifelong interest.

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