UTA Libraries Takes Flight

History takes flight at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History with some help from UTA Libraries. The museum’s latest exhibit, “Cowtown Takes Flight,” features 45 photos that the museum used from the Special Collections Department that document DFW’s aviation history. 

The “Cowtown Takes Flight” exhibit tells the social history around the development of aviation in the North Texas area. 

Abigail Hofbauer, the museum’s marketing manager, stated this chapter in aviation’s history is told through photos and artifacts that spotlight individuals who contributed to the development of aviation in the region. It also highlights key historical moments. 

“The exhibit focuses on the key players and events in aviation history,” Hofbauer said. “People like Roland Garros, whose first powered flight was in Fort Worth in 1911, the Women Air Force Service Pilots who did training here in World War II, and all of the different airfields and military bases that have been here.” 

Hofbauer stated this exhibit was made possible by reaching out to several partners in that area who shared materials, photos, or artifacts to tell this vital part of Fort Worth’s history. 

Some of these artifacts include the fuselage of a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter, the plexiglass top turret dome from a World War II B-24 bomber, flight suites, airplane models, historical documents, and a Southwest Airlines flight attendant uniform from the 1970s. 

Throughout the exhibit, several biographical panels feature a profile of a particular person or historical event. 

One such panel is of early American aviator Bessie Coleman. Coleman, who was born in Atlanta, Texas and grew up in Waxahachie, was the first woman of African American and Native American descent to earn an international pilot’s license in France in 1921. She did stunt flying across Europe and the United States. 

Kera Newby, Director of Special Collections and Archives, stated the photographs in the exhibit provide people with another layer of this moment in history. 

“The photographs and the archival materials that we provided in the exhibition provide the context to the history,” Newby said. “It shows the real people involved in the evolution and the relationship between Fort Worth and aviation history. So, it is putting a face to a story.” 

Newby stated the photographs displayed provide people with another way to learn about history. 

Throughout the 12,000 square foot exhibit, photographs from the Star-Telegram Collection archived at UTA Libraries are prominently featured. 

Sara Pezzoni, Photo Collections Coordinator in Special Collections, stated that a part of the exhibit that was notable to her were the photos and documents that told the story of the 1981 Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization strike. 

“I think that the PATCO strike was a pretty prominent piece of aviation history that happened at DFW airport,” Pezzoni said. “It resonated with us the most because it highlighted an important part of our collection, the Texas Labor Archives.” 

Some of the materials in the Texas Labor Archives housed at UTA Libraries contain materials from hundreds of union locals and labor councils, statewide labor organizations, union political groups and personal papers of union officials. 

Hofbauer wants to encourage everyone to see this unique chapter of local history before it takes flight and departs the museum. 

The “Cowtown Takes Flight” exhibit will be at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History over the next year. 

People can view this exhibit and the rest of the museum by purchasing a general admission ticket for $16. 

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. It is located at 1600 Gendy Steet in Fort Worth. 

For more information about the exhibit, visit the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History website. 

People can find information about UTA Libraries Special Collections online. They can also visit the department in person, located on the sixth floor of the Central Library building.