Air Zoo Blog
Category: Sue Parish
Friday, Feb 24, 2023
Women’s History at the Air Zoo: Cool!
Recently, a fourth grader on an Air Zoo fieldtrip admired our P-40 Warhawk with his friends on the mezzanine. After examining the historic pink plane hanging in our atrium, he turned to see that same plane flying in a nearby video. He looked back at the airplane, then back at the video screen, and anyone lucky enough to be near saw (and heard) when he made the connection. “Hey!” he shouted, “That’s the same plane! That’s that lady’s plane!” He sprang ...
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Friday, Aug 26, 2022
Exclusive Exhibit Daughters of the Sky Comes in for a Landing in our East Wing
It is with great pride that we officially announce the opening of a wonderful new and exclusive exhibit meant to honor and raise awareness of the Women Airforce Service Pilots—the WASP. Opening the first week of September 2022, Daughters of the Sky: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII tells the stories of the daring and determined women who answered the call when asked to fill the training, towing, and ferrying roles that would release male pilots to train for combat. Another in...
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Thursday, Dec 30, 2021
Before They Were WASP, They Were CAP
Did you know that many Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)—including Air Zoo Co-founder Sue Parish—first served as part of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)?
Approved by the United States Commerce, Navy, and War departments in 1941, the CAP recruited American civilian pilots eager to use their aviation skills for national defense. Men and women answered the call and volunteered in many ways. They provided surveillance, missing aircraft searches, forest patrols, and much more. Prior to ...
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Thursday, Oct 28, 2021
November birthdays
In November, we celebrate the Air Zoo’s birthday (we’re 42 this year!). We also celebrate the people who co-founded this very special place, for they were both born in November, too.
Co-founder Preston S. “Pete” Parish was born on November 10, 1919, while co-founder Suzanne “Sue” Upjohn DeLano Parish was born on November 13, 1922.
We commemorate their birthdays this month and we are privileged to share the gift of their legacies everyday as w...
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Thursday, Jul 25, 2019
How the Air Zoo inspired a young man and his dream
It can be hard to quantify the positive impact a cultural institution has on its community without experiencing that impact firsthand. MSgt. Darrik Thompson, USAF, retired, is just such a person, and for him the Air Zoo and the positive impact it has had on his life hold a very special place in his heart. “The Delano family [co-founder Sue Parish’s family] introduced my grandparents,” he recounts succinctly, “and my grandfather introduced me to aviation through the Air...
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Tuesday, Apr 9, 2019
Air Zoo to Debut Special Anniversary Exhibit, Memories & Milestones: 40 Years of the Air Zoo April 12
Portage, MI, April 9, 2019 – The Air Zoo proudly announces the grand opening of its next featured exhibit, Memories and Milestones: 40 Years of the Air Zoo, on Friday, April 12th at 9am. This exhibit is a celebration of the past 40 years of the Air Zoo’s commitment to sharing the wonders of aerospace and science with our community.
Air Zoo Exhibits and Collections Manager, April Bryan states “This is our first big in-house exhibit since I came on board at the A...
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Come visit us.
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Great place! Very interesting educational and informational! Great place to take the whole family as there is something for young children up to adults!
blackeyedsusan2018
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We took our grown daughters and young grandsons to the Air Zoo. It was very entertaining for all of us. There is so much to see and do. Rides for the whole family!
Rick C