Hangar No. 1 is of national significance and is a Save America’s Treasure Site. The hangar is individually listed in the New Jersey and National Registers. It also contributes to a listed district of WWII buildings at the airport. The hangar displays several historic military aircraft and exhibits, including a National Register-listed fighter jet. Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) and specifically Hangar No. 1 are significant for their roles in naval dive-bombing pilot training for the Pacific Theater of Operation during World War II. Some historians propose that the NASW may have been the most important of the half-dozen bases supporting naval dive bomber training during the war. Forty-two men died at NASW during training exercises. The hangar is highly unique and was constructed almost entirely of wood, including its truss system, in order to conserve steel for use in constructing ships, planes, and other war related items. The 92,000 square-foot hangar follows standard military designs and is likely the largest wood-frame structure in New Jersey. Noted industrial architect Albert Kahn may have worked on or provided plans for the military’s hangar design.

Between 1946 and the 1980 the hangar was used by private airline companies. Portions of the hangar continued to be used until it was abandoned in the 1990s in a state of disrepair. NASW Foundation acquired the building in 1997 making subsequent repairs and opening it as a military aviation museum.

The 2022 Trust grant will help fund the replacement of the second half of the 48,000 square-foot roof.

The 2021 Trust grant will help fund replacement of half of its 48,000 square-foot flat main roof. 

The 2018 Trust grant helped fund the preparation of an update to a 2004 preservation plan. The 2017 grant helped fund structural repairs to the column and truss structure at the northwest corner of the hangar. The 2010 Trust grant helped fund ADA improvements to the building and structural repairs to the roof trusses. Previous Trust funding supported ongoing exterior restoration including window and door restoration and replacement of select exterior cladding, addressed the need for emergency egress lighting to bring the building up to code, preparation of a preservation plan, restoration of the telescoping doors, roof truss repairs, and exterior restoration work. 

For more information, visit: https://usnasw.org/the-hangar/