The History of the Museum
The Museum, that is housed in the Red Feather Club buildings, is operated and managed by the 95th Bomb Group Heritage Association (95th BGHA) and it is the official UK museum of the 95th Bomb Group. The award-winning museum, is in a former NCO's club and houses uniforms and memorabilia relating exclusively to the 95th Bomb Group and has been described by visitors as “stepping back in time”.
The buildings were taken into our care in the 1980s and underwent a substantial renovation to bring them back up to their former glory. The original RFC was opened in 1944 as the NCO's did not have their own base club. The Library, then known as 'The Institute' was authorised for a change of use and the buildings were furnished with items salvaged from bombed out buildings in London, including a wooden bar with brass railing, which has been reproduced within the buildings. The following pictures show the RFC in the 1980s and 1990s, undergoing renovation.
Things To See At The Museum
All of the artifacts that we display are from the 95th Bomb Group alone. There is no 'filler material', exhibits have been meticulously obtained, curated and presented to help tell the story of the men of the 95th as well as we can.
The museum is continually being updated as new additions are donated or acquired. It aims to tell the story of the 95th from their early days in the US to their return home after the end of the war, through displays, films and the firsthand accounts of locals and servicemen.
Outside there is a memorial to all those who served with the 95th and a marble bench commemorating Bob Cozens who is credited with saving the 95th twice – the first time when he rallied the battered squadrons over Kiel during WW2 and the second time by invigorating the veterans organisation in the US, after the war.
The Red Feather Club complex itself consists of five interconnected rooms and a separate guardroom. The former kitchen, which is now the entrance, houses a massive diorama of the airfield as it was during WW2 and the roll of honour listing all those lost.
The mural room houses original artwork painted by US serviceman S/Sgt Nathan Bindler and preserved in place by the Association. The Bar Area is a faithful recreation of the bar as it was during WW2. The museum itself used to be the Beer Hall. The former Dry Lounge – which is now called the Blue Lounge, is used extensively for 40’s style dances and events of all types.
The Red Feather Club is also the home to the 1285th Military Police Company re-enactment group who have their own guardroom, complete with cell which you can visit.
