The Zephyrhills Museum of Military History is a community-driven museum located
at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Housed in the original infirmary
building—the sole surviving structure from the former Zephyrhills Army
Airfield—it preserves and shares local military history and honors veterans who
served across major conflicts.
The roots of the museum trace back to 1942, when the Zephyrhills Army Airfield
was established as a major pilot training facility. Between 1943 and 1944,
roughly 500 pilots from the 10th Fighter Squadron lived and trained there on
P-40 and P-47 fighter aircraft before deploying to Europe. After World War II
ended, the military airfield was decommissioned and donated to the City of
Zephyrhills to become a public municipal airport. While all the troop barracks
and living quarters were eventually demolished, the base's original infirmary
building survived. After sitting unused for decades, state and municipal grants
were secured starting in 1997 to restore and preserve the deteriorating WWII
infirmary structure. The museum officially opened to the public in 2001. It was
established as a non-profit, volunteer-run organization to preserve the memory
of the 10th Fighter Squadron, honor local veterans, and safeguard the city's
military heritage.
The museum features historical photos, gear, propaganda posters, and specialized
artifacts from the 10th Fighter Squadron as well as items from the 10th Mountain
Division. Rooms and exhibits cover a wide timeline, including artifacts from the
Civil War, World War I, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Women in the Military,
and 9/11 memorial displays. Outdoor and hangar displays feature notable aircraft
including a Douglas C-53D Skytrooper, a 1959 Grumman OV-1B Mohawk, and a Bell
OH-58A Kiowa helicopter.
Admission to the museum is free, although donations are appreciated. Docent led
tours are available.
Activities & Facilities
Museum or Visitor Center
Getting there ... ...