DeLand Naval Air Station Museum

The DeLand Naval Air Station Museum (DNASM) stands as a proud guardian of DeLand’s military and aviation heritage. Originally a modest municipal airport built in the 1920s, the site transformed in 1942 when it became the DeLand Naval Air Station (NAS), a vital World War II training base. The air station trained Navy pilot/gunner teams on patrol bombers and legendary aircraft like the SBD Dauntless and F6F Hellcat, instrumental in pivotal battles like Midway.After the NAS was decommissioned in 1946, the site returned to civilian use, eventually becoming home to the Florida Military School in the mid-20th century. In 1995, 50 years after its wartime opening, the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum was established, preserving the legacy of those who served. The museum is housed in the restored Master of Arms Residence, a building that now features an extensive collection of historical artifacts, veterans’ memorabilia, and military art. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, securing its place as a key landmark in both local and national history.Today, the museum continues to honor the past while educating future generations about the heroism and service of the men and women who trained at DeLand NAS and the role the community played in supporting the war effort.

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