Upcoming Events at Wings of the North
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Volunteer Monthly Meeting/Marketing Meeting
February 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
March 5, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
BuzzKaplan—Minnesota Aviation Ambassador
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 6:30PM, author Kristin Holsworthwill present the story of her grandfather, Buzz Kaplan, well known adventurer,world traveler, pilot, businessman, and proud representative of Owatonna andMinnesota. This event is part of theWings of the North Air Museum’s Speaker Series that offers a free presentationon the first Thursday of each month.
Background: Reuben W. “Buzz” Kaplan was born in 1924 inOwatonna, Minnesota. His travels began when he joined the US Army and was sentto Germany in 1943 to fight in World War II. Upon returning home, he earned hispilot’s license and pursued the life of an adventurer. He flew his airplanes toover seventy-five countries and six continents, winning numerous awards for hisflight achievements. Buzz’s adventuresincluded Friendship Flights to the Soviet Union, Europe, and South America. Aspart of the Greenland Expedition, he worked to recover airplanes from the LostSquadron, buried 270 feet below the Greenland ice cap. Buzz’s adventures made headlines andfriendships all over the world.
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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
Dani Hemmingsen/WWII Womens Airforce Service Pilots
Monthly Speaker Series
Massive Daylight Bombing Raids on Berlin!
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 6:30PM, acclaimed historian Mark S. Copeland will present the story of the first American daylight bombing raids over Berlin, Germany, during World War II. Mr. Copeland is the past National President of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society and is currently with the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Savannah, Georgia. This presentation 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.
Mr. Copeland will speak about the first daylight bombing raids on the German capital of Berlin in 1944. On one mission, 69 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down, each one carrying a crew of 10 men. On a later raid, the 8AF launched 1,500 bombers with 1,000 fighter escorts on a single attack on the Berlin rail system. The presentation will include historic photographs and details on the behind the scenes strategies and personalities that lead to the defeat of Adolph Hitler’s Third Reich.
For more information click here.
Air Mail – News From Wings of the North
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...
Wings Quarterly – June 2025
The weather is heating up and so are the activities at the Wings of the North Air Museum! In addition to our regular public hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm we have hosted several other recent activities. On Saturday, April 12, we were proud to...
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.