No longer a place to change or shower, the building now serves as a museum honoring Octave Chanute, the father of flight.

Chanute conducted some of the first heavier-than-air glider flights in human history in the high dunes just yards from the structure.

His successful experiments and glider designs paved the way for the Wright brothers' powered flight at Kitty Hawk.

The building also honors the Tuskegee Airmen, aeronautic pioneers who spearheaded the integration of the armed forces.

[3] In the spring of 2000 major reconstruction of the second floor waterproofed the first-floor areas so museum space could be constructed below.