Mcnamara Field

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

McNamara Field, also known as the Connecticut Air and Space Center, is an aviation museum and airport located in Stratford, Connecticut.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs.

Some good reasons to visit McNamara Field include its extensive collection of vintage aircraft, which includes both military and civilian planes. Visitors can also take a tour of the restoration hangar to see how aircraft are restored to their former glory.

Specific points of interest to see include the Corsair F4U, the PBY Catalina, the Sikorsky S-55 helicopter, and the Douglas A-26 bomber. Visitors can also explore the interactive exhibits and learn about the history of aviation in Connecticut.

Interesting facts about the area include that McNamara Field was originally built as a naval air station in 1929, and was used for naval aviation until the 1960s. The airport was then sold to the town of Stratford, which turned it into a general aviation airport. In 1998, the Connecticut Air and Space Center was established, and it has been restoring vintage aircraft and preserving aviation history ever since.

The best time of year to visit McNamara Field is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and there are often special events and exhibits on display. However, the museum is open year-round, so visitors can come at any time of year to explore the collection and learn about the history of aviation.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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