Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
4.5
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
This museum honors World War II flying ace Richard Bong and all veterans.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Address
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Restaurants
67 within 3 miles
Attractions
54 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
105 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
22
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Steven S
Minneapolis, MN1,010 contributions
Aug 2020
The museum is small but filled with history of World War 2 and the history of who the museum was named after, Richard Bong. A true American hero who shot down more planes than any other American in the war where is count was 40 and went on to be a true hero of his generation. A lot of Nazi artifacts as well as other countries that are on display. If you are into history especially World War 2 you will love it!! A bit spendy but worth the extra few bucks spent.
Written August 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hudson
8 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Wow. I am just impressed, This was honestly such an experience, This place took up 40 minutes of my time. And that 40 minutes was very well used, The staff was also very friendly and very helpful, easy five star review!
Written April 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southshore4
Maple Plain, MN155 contributions
Dec 2020
What a tribute to a local military hero! We We learned a lot about Richard bond and his contribution during World War II and his few years here. Great artifacts and lots of local interest. The staff was very friendly and suggested other sites in the area. Highly recommend!
Written December 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virgil
3 contributions
Jul 2022
Was flabbergasted to walk in and see an actual, fully restored P-38 Lightning, parked in the main auditorium. Far more interesting military items in the museum than I expected. Lots of information about Superior during the war years, along with the specifics about Richard Bong, America's "Ace of Aces". Worth a look if you are visiting Northern WI, Duluth, or the Iron Range, etc. Only a few minutes over the bridge from Duluth. Great place!
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J K
12 contributions
Aug 2022
I have been here a few times. Everyone is very friendly. Lots to see. For me this brings back memories of my childhood. I use to go to the Poplar, WI school which is where Bong is from. I spent many years playing around the replica of his plane. Outside there is a huge play area for kids, and where you can see the bay and look over to Park Point in MN. This is a place for all ages. I use a cane and need to sit down from time to time. The only place I found was resting on the stairs.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff T
Stacy, MN152 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
This museum is kind of a sleeper. It's not the biggest museum and the center is just one airplane, but the presentation is phenomenal. Everything we saw (a few trucks, bicycles, motor cycles, airplane) was beautifully restored. The museum is well laid out and is full of information. The introductory movie is good. I learned a lot at the museum. The airplane is set in an island setting with scenery and sand. Lots of memorabilia and stories of local veterans.
It may be small, but it's one of the best museums I've ever been in.
It may be small, but it's one of the best museums I've ever been in.
Written June 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelsrr
Rochester, NY6 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We are not fans of Superior, WI. We've had some unpleasant run ins with locals and we have not had very good hotel stays or customer service at shopping centers. We would however stop again to revisit this little gem and that speaks VOLUMES!
My Husband was a History major so we have stopped at countless (and I mean COUNTLESS) museums in our short 10 months of marriage alone. The Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center has been one of the most impressive that we have seen.
When you first arrive you are greeted by actual Veterans waiting to share their stories and thoughts with you. It is only $9.00 for adult admission and you begin with a short film that was very well chosen and informative. Upon completion of the film you are able to explore the displays at your leisure. The collection on display is quite impressive and very well laid out. There are clear labels and informative descriptions on everything They have a wide variety of delivery methods available with written information, media displays as well as interactive exhibits to enjoy and at the center of it all they have Richard I. Bong's plane beautifully refinished and on display.
If you are in the area I highly recommend that you spend some time here. Its great for people of all ages and for friends, couples, families and I'm sure it is even fun to explore solo.
My Husband was a History major so we have stopped at countless (and I mean COUNTLESS) museums in our short 10 months of marriage alone. The Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center has been one of the most impressive that we have seen.
When you first arrive you are greeted by actual Veterans waiting to share their stories and thoughts with you. It is only $9.00 for adult admission and you begin with a short film that was very well chosen and informative. Upon completion of the film you are able to explore the displays at your leisure. The collection on display is quite impressive and very well laid out. There are clear labels and informative descriptions on everything They have a wide variety of delivery methods available with written information, media displays as well as interactive exhibits to enjoy and at the center of it all they have Richard I. Bong's plane beautifully refinished and on display.
If you are in the area I highly recommend that you spend some time here. Its great for people of all ages and for friends, couples, families and I'm sure it is even fun to explore solo.
Written June 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linebacker1952
Duncan Falls, OH35 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Richard I Bong was a WWII Air Corps pilot who stands to this day as the highest scoring US ace, having shot down in aerial combat 40 enemy aircraft. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and was a nationally known hero during the war. This museum is a fine tribute to a great man. In addition, the museum has many exhibits honoring Wisconsin and Minnesota veterans. All in all, this is an excellent museum.
Written November 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laurakL9590CG
Burnsville, MN26 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
My husband and I have visited this museum several times. We thoroughly enjoy the history and the information is presented in an interesting and varied styles. You can easily get through the museum in a couple of hours and could spend more, if you thoroughly go through everything.
My husband is a paraplegic and has no issues with accessibility. The staff is always welcoming and accommodating.
My husband is a paraplegic and has no issues with accessibility. The staff is always welcoming and accommodating.
Written October 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
world t
Duluth, MN53 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
If you are a WWII history buff..a must see.
The staff suggests viewing WW II the Pearl Harbor Japanese bombing film footage first. Viewing the film sets the stage for viewing the WW II exhibits and the whole museum experience.
This museum features a local hero from Poplar WI. a WW II The "Ace of Aces", Major Richard "Dick" Bong. who served 1941-1945 in WW II.
He was a Medal of Honor recipient plus many more medals.
Major Bong shot down 40 Japanese enemy aircraft in his P38 named "Marge"(his fiancee and future wife).
Major Bong was forced to retire as the U.S. military did not want the Japanese to shoot him down and exploit him for propaganda.
Bong died at age 24 as a test pilot in a Lockheed P80 jet. He crashed on the same day as the bombing of Hiroshima August 6,1945.
A restored P 38 is inside the museum (this is not Bong's original aircraft as another pilot crashed his P-38).
The museum features many artifacts from WW II including "push button" commentaries from POW soldiers, a Jewish concentration camp survivor, a Tuskegee airman and more throughout the museum.
Several displays highlighting the vital roles that women contributed to the WW II effort are impressive. Women filled in at Duluth railroad & ship building,Victory Garden campaign, sheet metal workers,and WASP aircraft pilots.
I was delighted to view a picture of Betty Strohfus from Faribault MN.
Betty was a WW II female WASP,non combat pilot, a two time Congressional Gold Medal recipient. She trained WW II male pilots for combat and shuttled aircraft throughout the United States as a WASP.
She was interviewed at Northwest Airlines for a pilot position and only offered a secretarial position.
Active duty military are admitted free.
A Wisconsin Tourist Information Center is located inside the door with a vast amount of WI travel information..no admission charge for the Tourist Information Center.
There is also a memorial wall onsite.
The staff suggests viewing WW II the Pearl Harbor Japanese bombing film footage first. Viewing the film sets the stage for viewing the WW II exhibits and the whole museum experience.
This museum features a local hero from Poplar WI. a WW II The "Ace of Aces", Major Richard "Dick" Bong. who served 1941-1945 in WW II.
He was a Medal of Honor recipient plus many more medals.
Major Bong shot down 40 Japanese enemy aircraft in his P38 named "Marge"(his fiancee and future wife).
Major Bong was forced to retire as the U.S. military did not want the Japanese to shoot him down and exploit him for propaganda.
Bong died at age 24 as a test pilot in a Lockheed P80 jet. He crashed on the same day as the bombing of Hiroshima August 6,1945.
A restored P 38 is inside the museum (this is not Bong's original aircraft as another pilot crashed his P-38).
The museum features many artifacts from WW II including "push button" commentaries from POW soldiers, a Jewish concentration camp survivor, a Tuskegee airman and more throughout the museum.
Several displays highlighting the vital roles that women contributed to the WW II effort are impressive. Women filled in at Duluth railroad & ship building,Victory Garden campaign, sheet metal workers,and WASP aircraft pilots.
I was delighted to view a picture of Betty Strohfus from Faribault MN.
Betty was a WW II female WASP,non combat pilot, a two time Congressional Gold Medal recipient. She trained WW II male pilots for combat and shuttled aircraft throughout the United States as a WASP.
She was interviewed at Northwest Airlines for a pilot position and only offered a secretarial position.
Active duty military are admitted free.
A Wisconsin Tourist Information Center is located inside the door with a vast amount of WI travel information..no admission charge for the Tourist Information Center.
There is also a memorial wall onsite.
Written January 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, Superior
Frequently Asked Questions about Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
- Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center:
- (0.11 mi) The Bay Motel
- (0.16 mi) Hampton Inn Superior Duluth
- (0.18 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Superior - Duluth Area, an IHG Hotel
- (0.30 mi) Budget Motel
- (3.98 mi) South Pier Inn
- Restaurants near Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center:
- (0.15 mi) Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
- (0.19 mi) Durango's Restaurant & Gift
- (0.30 mi) Golden Inn Restaurant
- (1.62 mi) Thirsty Pagan Brewing
- (1.84 mi) Anchor Bar
Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center Information
Excellent Reviews | 77 |
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Very Good Reviews | 22 |
Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center Photos | 73 |