Dakota Territory Air Museum’s Scholarship Program

Since 2017, the Farstad Foundation and Jeff Farstad have donated $150,000 toward the Dakota Territory Air Museum’s (DTAM) scholarship program, to assist students in advancing their aviation careers. This past summer, the museum awarded 13 students’ scholarships to assist in their aviation endeavors.

The Dakota Territory Air Museum’s 26^th Annual Sweepstakes

The annual sweepstakes is the DTAM’s largest fundraiser. This year, we gave away a 1945 Piper J-3 Cub. This year’s winner was Jeffrey Holowienko from Erie, PA. Over the course of the last 25 years, the annual sweepstakes has generated in-excess of $2.5 million gross, with approximately $750,000 in expenses. Revenue generated from our sweepstakes has come from all over the world, with the vast majority coming from the United States. For the 2023 27^th Annual Sweepstakes, we are planning to give-away this beautiful 1941 Interstate Cadet. Tickets will go on-sale in March 2023.

Dakota Territory Air Museum Hosts Events

Over the course of the summer season, the DTAM has hosted several public events. In June, we held The Forgotten War: Korea in the Flying Legends Hangar. We welcomed twenty Korean War veterans from across North Dakota, as well as approximately 150 guests in attendance. The program for the afternoon commemorated American involvement in the Korean War with guest speaker Maj. (USMC Ret.) Trygve Hammer, and with assistance of the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion. 

In July, the museum partnered with the Dakota Cruisers Car Club for this year’s Wings and Wheels event. This year, we welcomed the International Cessna 180/185 Club for the event. The Cessna Club brought approximately 40 additional aircraft to the museum grounds and the Dakota Cruisers brought approximately 150 vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles. We had approximately 1,000 guests enjoy the displays, food trucks, and axe-throwing! 

 In August, the museum held Welcoming Home Our Vietnam Veterans in the Flying Legends Hangar, where we welcomed approximately seventy-five Vietnam Veterans from around North Dakota, as well as approximately 125 guests in attendance. The program for the afternoon commemorated American involvement in the Vietnam War and featured guest speaker Maj. (USMC Ret.) Trygve Hammer, the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard, and assistance from the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion. At the end of the August event, we held our 26^th Annual Sweepstakes Grand Prize Drawing where we gave away a 1945 Piper J-3 Cub. 

In September, the museum celebrated the contributions of women in aviation with Women, Wine, and Wings. Documentary producer Nick Spark was the guest speaker for this year’s event. His documentary, “Pancho Barnes and the Happy-Bottom Riding Club,” was screened and he hosted a Q&A after the screening. Approximately 50 guests were in attendance for Women, Wine, and Wings. 

The museum’s final public event for 2022 was the Night at the Museum Hangar Dance and Silent Auction at the end of October.  Music, dancing, food, drinks, re-enactments, and a silent auction were on the program for the evening. The proceeds from the silent auction benefit museum operations throughout the year. 

Please visit our website for more information on future events: www.dakotaterritoryairmuseum.com.