Upcoming Events at Wings of the North
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Volunteer Monthly Meeting/Marketing Meeting
March 19, 2026 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Want to find out what is happening at Wings of the North? Then join us the 3rd Thursday of every month as we meet to discuss WOTN activities, future plans and volunteer needs. The meetings are open to anyone interested in learning about WOTN as well as to our many fabulous volunteers!
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Special Event: Monthly Movie/Speaker Night
April 2, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Representativesof the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will present thehistory and mission of their worldwide organization. This event is part of the Wings of the NorthAir Museum’s Speaker Series that offers a free presentation on the firstThursday of each month.
Background: The CAF was chartered as anonprofit group in 1961 with the basic objective of restoring and flying asmany different types of World War II military airplanes as possible in order toboth educate and entertain future generations. By the end of that year they had acquired nine aircraft. Today they have more than 175 aircraft of 60different types, over 13,000 members, and have established local “Wings” in 26states and 4 foreign countries. The CAFis one of the largest Air Forces in the world!
The Minnesota Wing of the CAF is locatedon Fleming Field in South St. Paul. Inaddition to a great museum they also maintain and fly seven different World WarII aircraft including “Miss Mitchell”, a beautifully restored B-25 bomber ofthe same type used by the Doolittle Raiders to attack Tokyo in April of1942. Rides are available in theiraircraft and they have a program that allows you to train to become one oftheir pilots! Their twice-yearly hangardances are great fun–raisers and fundraisers.
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Volunteer Monthly Meeting/Marketing Meeting
April 16, 2026 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Want to find out what is happening at Wings of the North? Then join us the 3rd Thursday of every month as we meet to discuss WOTN activities, future plans and volunteer needs. The meetings are open to anyone interested in learning about WOTN as well as to our many fabulous volunteers!
Monthly Speaker Series
Buzz Kaplan—Minnesota Aviation Ambassador
Eden Prairie, MN – On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 6:30PM, author Kristin Holsworth will present the story of her grandfather, Buzz Kaplan, well known adventurer, world traveler, pilot, businessman, and proud representative of Owatonna and Minnesota. This event is part of the Wings of the North Air Museum’s Speaker Series that offers a free presentation on the first Thursday of each month.
Background: Reuben W. “Buzz” Kaplan was born in 1924 in Owatonna, Minnesota. His travels began when he joined the US Army and was sent to Germany in 1943 to fight in World War II. Upon returning home, he earned his pilot’s license and pursued the life of an adventurer. He flew his airplanes to over seventy-five countries and six continents, winning numerous awards for his flight achievements. Buzz’s adventures included Friendship Flights to the Soviet Union, Europe, and South America. As part of the Greenland Expedition, he worked to recover airplanes from the Lost Squadron, buried 270 feet below the Greenland ice cap. Buzz’s adventures made headlines and friendships all over the world.
Although Buzz rarely passed up an opportunity to travel the globe, he never forgot the community where he grew up. He owned Born Again Restorations, an airplane restoration company, was the chairman and CEO of Owatonna Tool Company and its subsidiaries, and was the president and founder of Heritage Halls Museum in Owatonna. In addition, he was a respected and generous contributor to the city of Owatonna.
The Wings of the North Air Museum is located at 14893 Sierra Lane on Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie. Access to Flying Cloud Airport is through Gate H, one mile west of Flying Cloud Drive just south of Pioneer Trail. Museum volunteers will assist with directions to parking. The presentation will start at 6:30PM; doors will open at 6:00PM. The event is free but donations are appreciated. Reservations are not required.
Air Mail – News From Wings of the North
Wings Quarterly – March 2026
From the Museum Director The Wings of the North Air Museum is always in motion! While we wait for the George HW Bush Boeing Stearman to return from some repairs, we have borrowed a couple more really great machines. One is a 1942 Taylorcraft L-2 “Grasshopper” painted...
Wings Quarterly – December 2025
From the Museum Director The Wings of the North Air Museum’s Speaker Series launched strongly on Thursday, November 6, with an engaging presentation by Dave Mattsson on the 1958 crash of a B 52 Stratofortress in Inver Grove Heights. This incident—one of Minnesota’s...
Wings Quarterly – August 2025
From the Museum Director The summer has been busy at the Wings of the North Air Museum. In addition to our normal weekend hours, we have hosted several private tours and other events in the museum and we made appearances at other locations to promote WOTN. The July...
Welcome to Wings of the North!
SKYWARD!
At WOTN, we believe in four core values that guide our efforts. They are:
• Love of Education
• Love of Industry
• Love of People
• Love of Flying
our Collection - Love of education
Our extensive collection features flying and static aircraft in addition to multiple displays, vehicles, a gallery and a gift shop.
Wings Restorations - love of industry
We are excited about the many projects going on in our restoration hangar which include planes and other historical artifacts. While Covid has complicated the process, we continue to make headway on the BT-15 with other projects waiting in the wings.
Our Volunteers! – Love Of People
Our Working Collection – Love Of Flying
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DESCEND!
Wings of the North has you covered for unique aviation gifts, take a look! All profits go towards making the museum collection accessible and affordable for everyone.