General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum

Boyertown is located on the ancestral homelands of the Lenape people.

life-size manequin in US Army officer's uniform next to a portrait on the wall of the person it is depicting

Date of Visit: May 24, 2025

Boyertown has long been one of our favorite close-to-home destinations. About a 30-minute drive from our home base, Boyertown overdelivers on attractions and dining.

In 2021, a new museum opened up to tell the story of a local hero and the airmen he commanded: the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum.

General Carl Spaatz was a Boyertown native and pilot in World War I. During World War II, he commanded the US 8th Air Force and the US Strategic Air Forces in Europe before becoming the first Chief of Staff for the US Air Force in 1947.

tour guide wearing a world war two era Army uniform pointing to a collage of old photos and newspaper clippings on a wall inside the Carl Spaatz Museum

We made our first visit to the Museum that bears his name in May 2025. A volunteer in uniform guided us and another group through the museum, starting with a room of Boyertown history.

(Note: tours are typically self-guided though if the right volunteers are on-hand, you may also get a more guided tour).

digital portrait on a wall shows a man in early 1900s suit. the picture hangs above a green velvet couch

On one wall, newspaper clippings and photos told the story of the tragic Rhoad’s Opera House fire that claimed the lives of more than 170 people in 1908. A portrait on the wall of one of the town’s leaders came to life and began telling the story of that fateful night.

Carl Spaatz’s father, Carl B. Spatz was the editor of the local paper and was performing in the show the night of the fire. (General Spaatz would add the second “a” to his name later in life to clarify the pronunciation to sound like “spots” instead of “spats”).

room with yellow walls and a timeline that stretches around the center of the walls

From there, we entered a room lined with a timeline of the General’s life with his bust in the center and another talking portrait on the wall.

two model 1920s planes in yellow and olive green hanging from the ceiling

The room also featured a model of Spaatz’s 1929 record-breaking flight in which lasted 150 consecutive hours. Spaatz traded flying duties with two other airmen while a second plane would fly to meet them and tether to the aircraft to complete refueling in mid-air.

white military uniform on display next to an antique desk and a tv playing footage from World War 2

We then moved into a larger room that featured a recreated desk next to a video screen that played scenes from a World War 2 dogfight.

The movie was a little intense for Jakob, our seven-year-old, but he did enjoy looking at the large model airfield at the opposite end of the room. The replica included barracks for the airmen, hangars, refueling stations and earthen redoubts.

replica riefing room with a map on the wall with cicled targets and a blackboard with code

The briefing room displayed not only maps that showed what battle planning looked like during the Second World War. Equipment on the walls showed what it took to prepare for the mission. The museum offers interactive tours for small groups where you can actually attend a briefing, suit up, and complete a virtual mission.

replica briefing room with wooden chairs and a row of flight jackets and airmen gear hanging on the wall

It was here that we split off from the others in our group as they entered the on-site escape room – another unique experience at the museum – while we continued our tour.

Wall with silk banners representing various units military units

The final room in the museum showed what life was like on the homefront during World War 2 with antique radios, old food packages, and other household objects.

display showcasing manequins of women in military uniform

In the hallway that led back to the lobby, we passed by several diorama exhibits. One was specifically dedicated to women in the military while the others highlighted the individual branches of the military.

large wooden plaque with more than 300 names engraved on small plates and the title "Roll of Honor" at the top

At the end was the Roll of Honor from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Boyertown. The plaque features the names of more than 350 men and women – all from a single congregation – that served in World War 2 in the fight against fascism and imperialism.

The Museum is a real gem and does an excellent job of placing visitors in the shoes of World War 2 airmen while also bringing the enormity of the war home.

General Carl Spaatz USAAF Museum
10 General Spaatz Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512

When You Go

General Admission tickets are $10 and include self-guided tours. The interactive tour and escape room cost $25 each and include museum admission. Both require advanced reservations while general admission tickets may be purchased at the door.
We spent an hour touring the museum. Some may spend less time while others may spend longer depending on your level of interest in World War 2 and military history.
The Museum has its own off-street parking, but it’s also only a two-block walk from the Town Center parking lot. If you are looking to explore the town before or after your visit, the Town Center lot is a great central location.
Other attractions in town include the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, the Colebrookdale Railroad, the State Theater, and Taylor Backes Glass. See all the best things to do, shopping and dining in our Downtown Discoveries guide to Boyertown.