Wechsler Foundation officials have announced the dates for the CAF Red Tail Squadron traveling exhibit in Meridian. The exhibit, complete with a flying demonstration of the P-51C Mustang, tells the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and their historic accomplishments. The exhibit is scheduled for April 11-15, 2017.

“Our goal in bringing this exhibit to Meridian is to highlight the historic accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen and inspire our children to aim high in life,” says Ed Lynch with the Wechsler Foundation. “The exhibit will include school field trips, public visits and a family fun day including visiting airplane viewing and a flight demonstration by the P-51C Mustang, the plane the airmen flew.”

About the CAF Red Tail Exhibit

Red Tail is the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s three-fold outreach program that brings the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen to life in communities and classrooms. At air shows, community events and schools and universities, the outreach program draws crowds and inspires people of all ages. 

The program consists of the Rise Above Traveling Exhibit 53’ mobile theater featuring the original panoramic film “Rise Above” and a fully restored WWII-era P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Rise Above Resource Kit for teachers and youth leaders.

The foundation of the outreach program is the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s six guiding principles: Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win. These principles are based on the experiences and successes of the Tuskegee Airmen, and play a starring role in the group’s outreach efforts.

EXHIBIT SCHEDULE

April 11 –  April 13: School Programs at Wechsler – 1 p.m. – 3p.m.

The Rise Above Traveling Exhibit 53’ mobile theater featuring the film “Rise Above” will welcome class field trips to hear the empowering message of the Tuskegee Airmen. There will be tours of Weschler, where its history will be shared.  

April 14 (Good Friday): Public Programs at Key Field – 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Rise Above Traveling Exhibit 53’ mobile theater featuring the film “Rise Above” will be shown, and the P-51C Mustang and its pilot will be on display for discussion and pictures. Admission is free. 

April 15: P-51C Flight, visiting airplane viewing and family festival

The film will again be shown and the P-51C Mustang and its pilot will be on display for discussion and pictures. Admission is free. Visiting airplanes will be on display for photo opportunities. Admission is $5 per person, children under 6 are free

10 a.m.- noon: – Sponsor Breakfast

Noon – Gates Open to Public

Noon -1 p.m. – Rise Above Film Viewing, Pictures with Planes 1pm-P-51C Mustang Flight Demonstration

1 p.m.- 4 p.m. – Family Festival: “Rise Above” film viewing, pictures with P-51C Mustang and visiting airplanes, food, music and children’s activities

About The Wechsler School

Wechsler School in Meridian was erected in 1894. The school was the first brick public school building in Mississippi built with public funds for African-American children. It originally served primary through eighth grades. In 1894 when Wechsler was built, 30% of the children in the city were African – American. Because of this growing number, $15,000 was used to purchase the grounds on which the building now stands. The school was named in honor of Rabbi Judah Wechsler of Congregation Beth Israel, who had led and inspired the Meridian public to approve a bond issue to raise money for construction of the school. In 1914, a bond issue for almost $75,000 was approved for improvements and additions to all of the city’s schools. From this bond, the school built a brick annex south of the original building to accommodate a rise in the number of students in Meridian’s public school system. Another addition was added to the campus in 1951 on the east side of the lot. The school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and designated a Mississippi Landmark in 1993.

Wechsler Foundation History

The Wechsler Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charity that will preserve the legacy and history of black schools now destroyed, research and document educators and programs in the Educational Heritage Museum and provide a center for education and tourism by saving Wechsler School, an iconic part of Meridian’s history.