The Speakers Bureau
Speakers Bureau
Request a Speaker
Our Museum offers skilled speakers for your group or audience, delivering informative and engaging hour-long programs with Q&A sessions. Visual aids are often utilized, necessitating A/V support. We prefer venues within 25 miles but can arrange Zoom or in-house presentations for more distant locations. See our topics and fill out a form to request a presenter.
Click the button here or at the end of this section to request a presenter.
Topics for presentations include but are not limited to the following topics.
THE HISTORY OF WILLOW RUN
Willow Run’s remarkable history – now spanning over 80 years – is a microcosm of America. On what was once agricultural land, Willow Run has seen aviation and automotive manufacturing, new technologies, commercial and cargo air traffic, an aviation history museum, and much more. Our team of speakers have three options for your group, each focusing on a different aspect of the story:
HOW DETROIT SAVED THE WORLD: THE WILLOW RUN STORY
The Presentation will have a short history of the Yankee Air Museum. The “Willow Run story” starts with Roosevelt’s call in May of 1940 for mobilization to build 50,000 airplanes per year. It will go over the world and national events leading up to the decision to involve the auto industry in the construction of airplanes for WWII and ultimately to build the Willow Run Bomber Plant. Bill Knudsen would mobilize the auto industry. Detroit would go on to produce the parts that ensured massive bomber production.
The Allies won WWII due to the overwhelming production capability of the US. This is the little known story of WWII. The story of how American Businesses produced victory in WWII needs to be told. Willow Run was the ultimate image of auto industry conversion to aircraft production and the manifestation of the American productive miracle.
WILLOW RUN AND THE STORY OF ROSIE THE RIVETER
This “hour-plus” program highlights the history of the Willow Run B-24 Bomber plant, the inspiring story of Rosie, the Riveter and the involvement of the Yankee Air Museum with the National Veterans History Project. Presented by a Rosie in period costume, you’ll laugh, cry, chant, cheer and feel good about the teamwork of America as we became the “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II. Note: a shorter version of this talk is also available.
THE OVERALL HISTORY OF WILLOW RUN
Willow Run’s overall history, including the Bomber Plant, Kaiser Frazer, General Motors, passenger/cargo aviation, and the Yankee Air Museum will be covered. The triumphs and setbacks from the wide range of companies at Willow Run as well as human interest aspects of the story will be presented.
Bravery and Innovation: Early Aviation Heroes
Long before the jet age, a daring group of aviators pushed the limits of what was possible, turning dreams of flight into reality. The early 20th century was a time of rapid innovation, and nowhere was this more evident than in the Ohio-Michigan region—a hotbed of aviation development that produced some of history’s most legendary flyers. From the Wright brothers in Dayton, Ohio, to pioneers like Eddie Rickenbacker and the trailblazers of Willow Run, these aviators risked everything to conquer the skies.
This presentation takes you on a thrilling journey through the golden age of early aviation, exploring the triumphs, setbacks, and larger-than-life personalities that shaped the future of flight. You’ll hear about the fearless barnstormers who wowed crowds with aerial acrobatics, the military pilots who proved aviation’s worth on the battlefield, and the engineers and innovators who laid the groundwork for modern air travel.
We’ll bring these stories to life through rare photographs, historical documents, and firsthand accounts, connecting the dots between the past and the aviation advancements we take for granted today. Whether you’re a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or fascinated by the spirit of human ingenuity, this presentation offers a compelling look at the pioneers who proved that the sky was never the limit.Join us as we celebrate the daring men and women who took to the skies and changed the world forever!
“OPERATION MARKET TIME”
THE U.S NAVY’S EFFORT TO INTERCEPT NORTH VIETNAM’S OCEAN-BORNE RESUPPLY ROUTES DURING THE VIETNAM WAR
The North Vietnamese effort to resupply its forces in South Vietnam has largely focused on the activity on the Ho-Chi-Minh Trail. A lesser known resupply route was the seaborne attempts to supply forces in the south. Supplies could reach South Vietnam in seven days as compared to up to 150 days on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. To counter this seaborne supply route, the U.S. Navy set up interlocking patrols of ships and aircraft that ran 24-hour-a-day coverage of the water around Vietnam. Our speaker flew as a pilot with Patrol Squadron 45 on these patrols and will bring his personal insights on Operation Market Time.
B-52 BOMBER: PRESERVING A LEGEND
The presentation provides an overview of B-52s and their role in the Cold War as one of the most important aircraft in US aviation history. We will discuss the B-52s role in the Cuban missile crisis, nuclear alert duty, as well as some less well-known missions – such as taking the X-15 airborne before launch. Our focus will turn to the Museum’s acquisition of B-52D #SN 55-0677 – which flew an estimated 600 combat missions during the Vietnam war. We will conclude with the Museum’s ongoing efforts to preserve the airframe for future generations.
WINGS OF CHANGE: THE WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS
WALKING OUR GRANDFATHERS’ FOOTSTEPS: A WORLD WAR I DISCOVERY
Have you ever wondered what your grandfathers did in the war? How did they fight, survive, and return home? In this presentation, you will learn how finding some old medals in a dusty desk drawer led us on an odyssey to discover the amazing stories of our grandfathers’ heroism as they navigated the trenches of the Great War in Europe, coming home, but never speaking of their journey again. Using historical records, artifacts, personal memories, and archival maps, we traced their footsteps from where they landed to where they were wounded. You will learn how you, too, can find out more about your relatives who served. Join us as we celebrate our grandfathers’ courage and heroism and discover a part of our legacy that we never knew before.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Words and Wisdom From "Ugly Duckling" to First Lady of the World
Eleanor Roosevelt wasn’t born confident or destined to lead. Early in life, she struggled with self-doubt and criticism, yet she discovered her strength by serving others. This presentation uses Eleanor’s own words to trace her journey from insecurity to becoming one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. Through stories of loss, courage, and resilience, audiences learn how she faced hardship and found purpose. Her timeless wisdom—“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”—reminds us that confidence is built, not given. Eleanor’s story challenges us to live more bravely, stand for others, and believe in our own ability to make a difference