The museum was founded by Carolyn and Richard Perry, Louise Thaden, W. C. Yarbrough, John Parrish, Sr., Jim Gorman and Glenn McNabb in October 1973 as the Staggerwing Museum Foundation.

[1][2][3][4] The museum opened to the public in June 1975 on land donated by John's wife Charlotte.

[5][6] The Beech Center, which acts as an entrance and lobby, was dedicated in 1995.

[7][8] It broke ground on the first phase of the Cianchette Hangar in 1998.

[10] The museum holds an annual fly-in called the "Beech Party".