May 9, 2019 (Hickory, NC) ─ It was not a far drive back in history to the early days of aviation for residents at Hickory Village Memory Care, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Hickory. The seniors never tire of the opportunity to get up close and personal with the artifacts, memorabilia, and planes at The Hickory Aviation Museum.

Pictured above at the Hickory Aviation Museum are Hickory Village residents Margaret Query, Earl Evans, Nancy Martin, Billy Lentz, Clyde Huffman and Olivia Stanley checking out a jet; Margaret Query, Myrtle Hilton and Lois Saunders in front of the tailfin of a plane, and Nancy Martin, Nora Windom and Christeen Dillingham in front of flight suits.

The Hickory Aviation Museum features a display of aircraft design throughout the eras, from the Wright Flyer to the F-18 Hornet. Designed and built by the Wright brothers, The Wright Flyer was the first successful heavier-than-air powered aircraft. The F-18 is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft.

Residents checked out ejection seats, flight suits, the Hickory Aviation Wall of Honor which recognizes local veterans and museum supporters, as well as the Memorial Wall, dedicated to those who have passed on.

“I have never been so close to a plane and I felt so tiny standing under the wing,” said Activities Director Jessica White. “It was a very interesting outing that we all enjoyed.”

For more information about Hickory Village, please contact Administrator Dan Jones at (828) 322-2230, at djones2@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.