BOYERTOWN, PA — The General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum in Boyertown is offering visitors a hands-on approach to learning about World War II history while unveiling an exciting raffle for a flight in a vintage B-25 bomber.
The museum, named after Boyertown native and distinguished military leader Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, first opened its doors in October 2021. Founder Keith Seiwell, a 30-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, created the museum after discovering that no dedicated site existed to honor Spaatz’s legacy. “It took a community and some special support from a lot of different groups,” Seiwell said about the project’s development.
Designed to captivate younger generations and history enthusiasts alike, the museum offers a variety of interactive experiences. Visitors can step into the roles of machine gunners or bombardiers with full costumes, participate in an immersive escape room, and engage in exhibits that emphasize hands-on learning. “I wanted to build a museum where people would want to stay,” Seiwell explained. “The lesson would stay with them for a long time and maybe forever.”
To support these educational endeavors, Seiwell has partnered with the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation to host a raffle. Four winners will take a 25-minute flight aboard Panchito, a restored WWII-era B25 Bomber, during the Mid-Atlantic WWII Airshow on June 7. Last year’s raffle raised $4,000, and Seiwell hopes to surpass that amount by at least 50% this year. Winners can even dress in period costumes for the flight, further immersing themselves in history.
“No other museum in the United States does what we do. They’re actually participating in history directly,” Seiwell said, emphasizing the unique educational approach embodied by the museum.
The General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum, located at 10 General Spaatz Ave., Boyertown, is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours, interactive exhibits, and escape rooms. For details, visit https://spaatzmuseum.org/.
The Panchito raffle, sponsored by Milestone Financial, runs through May 26. Raffle tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at https://spaatzmuseum.org/panchito-raffle. Paid visitors during the raffle period get one free ticket. Winners must be 18 or older to fly. Four winners will fly from Reading during the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Airshow on Saturday, June 7, at 10:30 a.m.
The General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum combines history, innovation, and community engagement in a way that ensures the stories of WWII remain alive for generations to come.
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