Aim High - Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit Opens at Opelika Public Library

OPELIKA, Ala. (WTVM) - For a long time, Black men were not allowed to fly in the military. This changed in 1940 when African American men were trained in Tuskegee Alabama to become the first African Americans to be military aviators. Since February is Black History Month, the Opelika Public Library is hosting an interactive exhibit for kids and adults called “Aim High - Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen.”

“We figured it was a really great opportunity to get kids in this area more familiar with the airmen, especially since we’re only 20 minutes away from the actual historical site where they trained and where they flew from,” said Anna Jones.

The Tuskegee Airmen fought in World War Two. They received praise for their excellent combat record they earned while protecting American bombers from enemy fighters. Jones is the Community Relations Specialist for Opelika Public Library. She says it has been fun watching kids learn says it has been fun watching kids learn about the Tuskegee Airmen but then also enjoy the interactive part of the exhibit.

“They get to apply it in different ways. They get to put on airplane wings and run down the runway. They get to dress up and act like they’re flying a plane or build a rocket,” she said.

Children’s Librarian, Kate Gholston, says kids love to learn through play. This exhibit offers play and education.

“It’s always great when you can learn, but when you can make learning fun and have it be an experience. It definitely resonates with you more and sticks with you longer,” said Gholston.

The name of the exhibit is “Aim High.” Aim high is one of the six principles of the Tuskegee Airmen followed by Expect to Win, Be Ready to Go, Use Your Brain, Never Quit and Believe in Yourself.

“We’re hoping that it’s not just educational, but it’s also inspirational. That these kids get to learn about the history and then get to take that and run with it,” said Jones.

The exhibit is free to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9 A-M to 5 P-M.