Opened in September 2023, the Carthage Aviation Museum is the only one devoted exclusively to flying and flight history in Moore County. Founded by lifelong aviator and enthusiast, Roland Gilliam, the museum is a treasure trove of aviation artifacts, model airplanes and real airplanes spanning decades of flight history. The museum is located a quarter mile away from the famous Pik n Pig restaurant which is located at Gilliam – McConnell Airfield, also owned by Gilliam.
The museum is a collection of aviation history collected by Gilliam across his lifetime. One of the planes he showcases in the hanger portion of the museum was used in the movie “Aviator.” The star of the movie, Leonardo DiCaprio sat in the plane during the filming. You’ll also learn about Carthage’s James Rogers McConnell, a famous World War I pilot whose mural is depicted in downtown Carthage, and the museum’s namesake.
The museum is open on weekends from 10am-3pm. The location of the museum is 832 Dowd Rd. in Carthage.
Other Area Attractions
The Fair Barn
Cameron Historic District
Reverie Hill Farm
North Carolina Pottery Center
Museum of NC Traditional Pottery
Aberdeen Postmaster’s House
Taxidermy Hall of Fame of NC
BHAWK- Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko.
Rankin Museum of American Heritage in Ellerbe, NC
Hammer & Stain Southern Pines
National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame, INC in Hamlet, NC
Sandhills Trolley
James Creek Cider House
Starworks
PowerHouse Indoor Batting
The Old Hardware -Antiques
Tufts Archives
Old Sport & Gallery
Wee Pines at Olmsted Village
Lazy Fox Lavender Farm
Landmarks and Legacies Mural
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
Bryant House & McLendon Cabin
North Carolina Zoological Park
Bethesda Church & Cemetery
Sandhills Woman’s Exchange
Carolinas Golf Association Hall of History
Carolina Horse Park
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
Town Creek Indian Mound
A Step In Time Walking Tours
Foodie Tours
Malcolm Blue Farm
Shaw House Properties
Aberdeen Fear Factory
Rec Room Bar + Arcade
Design Market Service
Aberdeen Railroad Museum & Railroad Club
Walthour-Moss Foundation
Sunrise Theater
Pinehurst Picnic Co.
Carolina Cinemas Sandhills 10 Theater
Discovery Place Kids
House in the Horseshoe
North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame
Red’s Corner