In 1996, Francis Gary Powers, Jr. and John C. Welch founded The Cold War Museum® (CWM) to preserve Cold War history, honor Cold War Veterans, and educate students about this time period.  Francis Gary Powers Jr. is the son of Francis Gary "Frank” Powers, the U-2 pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Union May 1, 1960.  John Welch brings a wealth of knowledge to the CWM in that he has been associated with it for over two decades.

 

 

 

 

The museum is a 501(c)3 institution that seeks, by various means, to do three things:

o   Educate the public on the history and significance of the Cold War  

o   Promote Scientific, Technical, Engineering, and Mathematical education (STEM) and demonstrate the importance it played in the Cold War

o   Secure, conserve, and preserve Cold War artifacts to tell the Cold War story through interpretive displays  

In all, The Cold War Museum®: 1) provides donors, staff, directors, and others the platform, chronology, and artifacts they need to educate about the Cold War, 2) uses the museum’s exhibits and eyewitness accounts to teach future generations via Cold War history about how intelligence informs our foreign policy, diplomacy, and military action and, 3) recognizes and honors the work of those who served professionally in the Cold War.