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BLAKESBURG, IOWA -- The Airpower Museum, located on the outskirts of Ottumwa, has become a center for the study of the history of aviation.

The museum opened in its current location in 1971 and has been run by volunteers and donors ever since.

Inside, there are old airplane engines and about 20 antique aircrafts on display from 1956 and earlier.

The museum is known for having one of the largest aviation libraries in the country, filled with hundreds of antique airplane manuals, and a 6th Air Force Room, dedicated to those who defended the Panama Canal during WWII.

One of the Airpower Museum board members says the museum is a great place to bring the family if you like studying the past.

"Ottumwa has always been known as a center of antique airplane activity in the country and this showcases it.," said Brent Taylor, the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Airpower Museum.  "We represent a lot of aviation history from the earliest times up until about 1956."

Taylor's father, Robert Taylor, helped start the museum after seeing so many older airplanes being destroyed.

He formed the Antique Airplane Association to bring people together to save old airplanes and keep them running. The organization now has 6500 members nationwide.

For more information and upcoming events, go to the Airpower Museum website.