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About Moore County Air Museum
The Vision
Our vision is to create a lasting memorial, to historical and current aviation, and honor those brave air veterans who served our country and gave their lives to protect our freedom and the freedom future generations can enjoy. It is hoped that everyone who visits the museum will find it uplifting and interesting, increase their knowledge of the history of Aviation, and think of it as a memorable experience. Located in the beautiful "Sandhills" area of North Carolina and the hometown of James R. McConnell to whom the museum is dedicated.
Airman James Rogers McConnell
The Museum is named and dedicated in honor of the historic airman James Rogers McConnell who fought for France in WWI before the United States became involved in the war. A native of Carthage, North Carolina, he was one of the founding and original members of the Lafayette Escadrille. A memorial to him and his service, including a plaque presented by the country of France, currently is on the grounds of the future museum.
Born in Chicago, he was the son of Judge Samuel Parsons McConnell. The family moved from Chicago to New York City and then to Carthage, North Carolina James attended private schools in Chicago, Morristown, N.J., and Haverford, Pa. In 1908 he enrolled at the University of Virginia, staying for two undergraduate years and one in the law school. While there he founded an "aero club," engaged in numerous collegiate pranks, was elected King of the Hot Feet (later painting a red foot on the side of his plane in France), was assistant cheerleader, and joined the Omicron Chapter of Beta Theta Pi as well as the organization Theta Nu Epsilon. In 1910 McConnell left law school and joined his family in Carthage. There he served as the land and industrial agent of the Seaboard Air Line Railway and secretary of the Carthage Board of Trade. He also wrote promotional pamphlets for the Sandhills area of North Carolina.
2nd Lt. Robert Holye Upchurch of High Falls, NC
Another Memorial Site on the grounds of the Museum is dedicated to 2nd Lt. Robert Hoyle Upchurch, a native of High Falls, North Carolina, who served prior to WWII with the 74th Flying Squadron, better know as Chennault's "Flying Tigers". A very interesting historical figure as his remains were not discovered until 2005.
Museum Donations
Your donation to the McConnell Museum will greatly help us in achieving our goal of creating a lasting monument to the many heroes of aviation and the planes they flew. You will be contributing not only to the museum building itself, but also to the quality of exhibits, programs and collections.
Donate today!
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.