A local aviation museum is celebrating a national designation. The National Museum of World War II Aviation is being recognized in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. 

The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville received the same recognition. 

The World War II museum opened in 2012 and covers 21 acres. Congressman Doug Lamborn and Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett led the bipartisan effort.

“This is one of the only museums in the country where they don’t just have models of aircraft from World War II,” Lamborn said. “These are flying specimens. These are flying aircraft, working aircraft, and that’s unique.” 

If  you want to check it out, the museum is located at 755 Aviation Way, near the Colorado Springs Airport and Peterson Air Force Base. It’s open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tap here for more information.