FOLEY – A museum exhibit commemorating Foley’s role in World War II and Naval aviation history is now open.
The exhibit tells the story of the city during the war and later and the role of Barin Field, the Navy’s Foley training base for aviators. The display opened Thursday, Dec. 5, the 82nd anniversary of Barin Field being commissioned in 1942.
The museum exhibit also commemorates Foley’s designation as an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service. Only one community in each state or territory can receive the designation. Currently, 38 cities have received the designation.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the exhibit and designation are a tribute to Foley and the Navy.
“This is really an exciting time here at Foley,” Hellmich said. “I’m just so thankful that we have such a team that can do an exhibit like this and partner with the US Navy and bring our history back alive.”
Hellmich praised the members of the city committee and municipal employees who helped develop the exhibit. He also thanked residents for their support and for the donation of some of the items included in the display.
The exhibit includes photographs, panels describing life, activities and operations at Barin Field and displays of uniforms, equipment and other items used during the period.
One display describes how many current families in Foley began when men assigned to Barin Field married local women they met while stationed at the base.
Another commemorates the dozens of Barin Field personnel killed in training accidents or other incidents while stationed at the base. The facility was nicknamed “Bloody Barin,” after 40 aviators died in accidents in the first two years that the base was in operation.
Glen Moore was stationed at Barin Field while he was in the Navy. Now 94, he recalled dealing with some of those incidents.
“I served as a crash crew leader,” Moore said. “It was a great experience, but sometimes you’d wish you were back home and not have to face what happened. But somebody has to do it, and I appreciate the chance to serve my country, my family and I pray for them.”
The new display is housed in the Foley Railroad Museum. Hellmich said the city plans to build a larger museum to expand on the exhibit and Foley’s history.
“We’re going to work on this in the future. This is the beginning of our recognition of this heritage site here in the city of Foley,” Hellmich said.
One major item acquired by the city is a 1941 N3N biplane. The N3N was one of the types of aircraft used in training at Barin Field. The N3N biplane arrived in Foley in October. Hellmich said the city is also working on plans to acquire other aircraft used at the field that will be included in displays at the new museum.
The mayor said the city will acquire more items to be part of the larger museum.
“We’re going to work with the Navy. We’re going to acquire planes,” Hellmich said. “We’re looking at different sites here in the downtown area. We’ve had a lot of different ideas, and I’m sure that our museum committee is going to really help us out, because we’re going to need a lot of input on what this museum needs to look like and where it’s going to be.”
The exhibit is in the Foley Railroad Museum at 125 East Laurel Ave. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The city is also working to acquire more artifacts and photographs to include in future exhibits. Photographs can be scanned and returned to the owner.
Anyone with uniforms, memorabilia or other items related to Barin Field or Foley during World War II can contact the Foley Marketing Department at 251-943-1200 or email Guy Busby, marketing communications manager, at gbusby@cityoffoley.org.