The Overlooked Legacy of DC’s Historic Black-Owned Airport | | |
Welcome to the College Park Aviation Museum's newsletter for the Columbia Air Center – Determined to Fly exhibition.
For those who are new, Columbia Air Center was the nation’s first licensed Black-owned and operated airport. Located in Croom, Prince George’s County, MD it operated from 1940-1962. Its rich history includes ties to the Tuskegee Airmen and its members attracted figures such as famed saxophonist and jazz band leader Jimmie Lunceford.
The Columbia Air Center – Determined to Fly is a new, permanent exhibition set to open in the fall of 2025. The museum has been working on this exhibition since 2021 in collaboration with descendants and living members of the Air Center.
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How did Columbia Air Center become the first licensed Black-owned airport?
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What was the first Black-owned airport?
Columbia Air Center, also known as Riverside Airfield, was not the first Black-owned airport. That honor belonged to Robbins Airport, outside of Chicago, IL, which opened in 1933. Robbins Airport was only open for 6 months before a storm destroyed its one hangar and many airplanes. The manager of Harlem Airport, a new, White-owned airport closer to Chicago, invited the displaced pilots of Robbins Airport to fly in a segregated section of the airfield.
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How did Columbia Air Center become the first licensed Black-owned airport? | |
Columbia Air Center first opened as Riverside Airfield in the fall of 1940 and by January 1941 they were operating Howard University's Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP). The CPTP was the first nationally funded pilot training program but of the 2,592 programs only 7 Black institutions were allowed to join.
As part of CPTP, Riverside Airfield earned its license and certification. Part of the application required airfields to post a public notice, or sign, advertising that they were applying to operate an airfield. In 1938, there was an attempt to open a Black-owned airport in Northern Virginia. The White neighbors strongly protested the presence of an "unsafe" airfield and flooded the state aviation commission with objections, dooming this airfield.
Likely with this experience in mind, Riverside Airfield posted their public notice far away from the main road. The sign was posted on the banks of the Patuxent River, far from the main road in. No complaints were filed.
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An aerial image of Riverside Airfield taken by the US Navy, c. 1943. The Navy commandeered the airfield during World War II and used it for trainings.
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How to support
We invite you to help preserve this significant, overlooked local history by:
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Donating or becoming a sponsor. All sponsorship levels include tickets to the Exhibition Preview Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Learn more here.
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Purchasing a ticket for the Exhibition Preview Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3, 2025, 2-4pm. There is limited availability. Tickets can be purchased here. More information below.
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Spread the word to friends, family, and interested parties! Send them this newsletter or send them the Columbia Air Center exhibition packet.
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Not a newsletter member? Sign up here.
| | Missed the Recent Zoom Presentation on Columbia Air Center? | | On Monday, March 24, 2025, the Prince George's County Historical Society hosted College Park Aviation Museum Curator of Collections Luke Perez for their monthly History Chat. The topic included a brief history of Columbia Air Center. | | Sneak Peak - Exhibition Preview in 6 Weeks | | |
Purchase a ticket for the Exhibition Preview Fundraiser and help the museum secure the remaining funds to complete the exhibition!
Exhibition Preview Fundraiser
Saturday May 3, 2025 2 - 4 pm
Doors open at 1:45
Tickets $125 - limited availability
Purchase tickets, or donate, here.
| | | Visit us at the 2025 DC History Conference | | Members of the exhibition team will be attending the DC History Conference April 4-5, 2025, in Mt. Vernon Triangle. Registration is FREE. The team will be staffing an information table at: | | |
DC History Network
Friday April 4 - 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
The annual DC History Network gives DC History Conference attendees the opportunity to meet organizations doing humanities-based work across the DMV.
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DC History Showcase
Saturday April 5 - 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm
The DC History Showcase highlights projects and programs alongside Posters and the Authors' Corner.
| | Donors, Sponsors, and Partners | | The College Park Aviation Museum and the Field of Firsts Foundation, Inc., would like to recognize and thank the partners and sponsors who have supported the Columbia Air Center - Determined to Fly exhibition. | | | | |
Anacostia Heritage Trail Area
Maryland Heritage Areas
The Field of Firsts Foundation, Inc. received an FY2025 MHAA grant from Anacostia Heritage Trails Area for this exhibition project.
This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority but does not necessarily reflect its views or policies.
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Herbert H. Jones Jr. Family
From the Tuskegee Airmen to being a co-owner of Columbia Air Center and more, Herbert H. Jones Jr. was a pioneer who shaped the aviation community. He did so through a life-long commitment to aviation education and advocacy.
The sons of Herbert H. Jones Jr., Herbert H. Jones III and Rodney Jones, have closely partnered with the museum to preserve the history and legacy of their father and of Columbia Air Center.
| | College Park Aviation Museum thanks all of those who have donated to this exhibition. | | The College Park Aviation Museum is owned and operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County and is a Smithsonian Affiliate. Opened in 1998, the museum is located on the grounds of the world’s oldest continuously operating airport. Dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the rich aviation history of College Park Airport and Prince George’s County, the museum fosters curiosity, learning, and community engagement. | | The Field of Firsts Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose purpose is to support educational programming and exhibits at the College Park Aviation Museum and promote awareness about the historic significance of the College Park Airport, the world’s oldest continuously operating airport. The foundation also operates the museum's robust membership program. https://www.fieldoffirsts.com/ | | |
HOURS
Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
ADMISSION
Adult (18-59): $5
Senior (60+): $4
Child (2-17) + Student w/ID: $2
Child Under 2: FREE
Field of Firsts Members: FREE
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