DeLand Naval Air Station Museum

05/28/2026

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Harold Bradeen, Historian, Curator and Lifetime Member of the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum.

Harold was 90 years old. Harold enlisted in the Vermont National Guard in 1952. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1995, serving 43 years. His assignments included anti aircraft guns, Forward Observer/Motor Unit, Asst. Truck Master/Transportation, Platoon Sgt./Tank Company and in his final ten years served as a Tactical Intelligence Analyst.

Harold served as President of the museum for many years. He conducted public educational tours, guiding thousands of visitors (both adults and youth) through the museum, explaining restoration projects, vintage military memorabilia and shared history lessons through verbal and video presentations.

He worked tirelessly creating displays of the thousands of vintage items that were donated to the museum. His vast knowledge about military history was extraordinary. He was our friend and mentor and he will be greatly missed.

A service for Harold will be held today at 1:30 at Stetson Baptist Church on Spring Garden Avenue in DeLand.

05/25/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped organize a very special Memorial Day Ceremony in DeLand today.
Members of the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, Don, Mike, Jill, and Jess, were in attendance.

Memorial Day is a day to pause and reflect on the men and women who sacrificed for the freedoms we hold today, and to honor the families & friends who carry their memory.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Today, we pause.

Not to celebrate, but to remember.

Memorial Day is a sacred day of honoring the men and women who gave everything so that we could stand here in freedom.

We will never forget their sacrifice. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Persimmon Hollow Woman's Club, Inc for visiting the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum!

It was such a pleasure to welcome your group, share the stories behind our exhibits, and walk through the history of Naval Aviation right here in DeLand together. Your curiosity and enthusiasm made the visit truly special, and your support helps keep this legacy alive for generations to come.
To everyone in the club—thank you for spending part of your day with us.

We hope you left with a deeper appreciation for the men and women who trained here and the role our small-town airfield played in shaping naval history.

📍 Visit the Museum
Wednesdays & Saturdays: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (last tour at 11:00 AM)
910 Biscayne Boulevard, DeLand, Florida 32724

Come walk through history, meet the people who preserve it, and see how our small-town museum continues to honor a legacy that shaped generations.

05/22/2026

Check out the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum during Museum Month!

Once a major training base for Navy dive-bomber pilots during World War II, the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum is housed in the original Chief Master at Arms Residence, one of the last remaining wartime structures on the airfield. Today, it preserves a massive collection of mementos, from mementos to an actual TBF Avenger torpedo bomber.

Now through June 5, celebrate Museum Month by picking up your Bingo passport and visiting participating museums to collect stamps. Complete a Bingo and redeem your passport at the West Volusia Visitor Center or the Museum Store at the Museum of Art – DeLand to receive a sticker sheet. Each Bingo completed also earns you an entry into a museum swag prize drawing.

05/16/2026

Happy Armed Forces Day from all of us at the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum

Today we pause to honor every American who has worn the uniform. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Every branch, every era, every sacrifice.
Right here in DeLand, that legacy runs deep. From 1942 to 1946, Naval Air Station DeLand trained the crews who flew SBD Dauntless dive bombers and PV-1 Venturas into harm's way over the Pacific. More than 100 of them gave their lives in training before they ever reached the fight. We remember them—and we remember every service member who followed in their footsteps.

To everyone serving today, and to every veteran who came before, thank you. As long as someone remembers your name, you will not be forgotten.

If you have never visited, or if it has been a while, we would love to welcome you. Come walk through the history, hear the stories, and see the legacy up close.

📍 Visit the Museum
Wednesdays & Saturdays: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (last tour at 11:00 AM)

910 Biscayne Boulevard, DeLand, Florida 32724

Come walk through history, meet the people who preserve it, and see how our small-town museum continues to honor a legacy that shaped generations.

05/13/2026

⚓ What a fantastic visit! ⚓

We were thrilled to host the Seaside Stars homeschool group from the Port Orange area at the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum today!

Kids ages 5 through 12 — along with their parents — toured the museum and learned about the incredible history of the brave aviators who trained right here in DeLand. Two of our young visitors even brought their ECHO Rangers passport books to get stamped! 📖

Everyone went home with a coloring book and a flag to remember the day.

And don't forget — it's West Volusia Museum Month! 🏛️ The perfect time to come explore all the amazing museums our community has to offer.

Thank you, Seaside Stars, for spending the day with us. We hope to see you back again soon! 🇺🇸✈️

Are you part of a homeschool group, scout troop, or community organization?

We love hosting visits — reach out to schedule yours!
(386) 738-4149

05/01/2026

Make sure to stop by tomorrow (5/2) to Celebrate Museum Month with DeLand Naval Air Station Museum !

We are open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am - 12pm.

Last Tour at 11am

From now until June 5, we are celebrating 14 of West Volusia’s museums with a month of exploration and Bingo.

Grab your Museum Month Bingo Passport and start collecting stamps by visiting participating locations, attending special events, or even just giving them a follow on social media.

Once you complete a bingo line, swing by the West Volusia Visitor Center or The Museum Store at the Museum of Art DeLand to snag a free sticker sheet. Plus, every line you finish (up to 5!) scores you an entry to win one of three gift baskets packed with museum goodies.

We can't wait to see you! Make sure after your visit to post your photos and tag us on social media!

02/12/2026

DNASM’s Annual Meeting was a great look back at a strong year of growth, community partnerships, and local outreach, plus continued improvements around the museum. We also celebrated another successful Big Band Dance and supported several community and veteran-focused events.

A special highlight of the night was guest speaker Bibi LeBlanc of Culture to Color, who shared an incredible personal story tied to Berlin’s Cold War history and the lasting impact of aviation through the Berlin Airlift.

Thank you to everyone who supports the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum and helps keep history alive as we remember all who serve.

12/07/2025

Today, we pause to honor the lives lost and the lives forever changed on December 7, 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor marked a turning point in our nation’s history, and it called forth extraordinary courage from ordinary Americans.

At the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, we remember the service members who stood their ground in the face of unimaginable adversity, as well as the families and communities who supported the war effort here at home. Their sacrifice laid the foundation for the freedoms that we continue to defend today.

We invite our community to take a moment of reflection, offer gratitude to the heroes of the Greatest Generation, and ensure that their stories are preserved for future generations.

The image shown here is an original World War II era poster created to rally the American public in the months following the attack. The torn and burning flag, set against a sky darkened by smoke, symbolized both the shock of Pearl Harbor and the unwavering resolve that followed. The quote, “we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain,” echoes President Abraham Lincoln’s words from the Gettysburg Address, linking the sacrifices of 1941 to the enduring American commitment to freedom and unity.

Posters like this one were displayed across the nation as part of a major effort by the Office of War Information. Their purpose was to strengthen national morale, encourage support for the war effort, and remind Americans of the cost of liberty. For many families, including those connected to the DeLand Naval Air Station during the war years, these images became symbols of resilience and determination.

In memory of all who served.