The museum grew from the North American Aerospace Defense Command Visitor Center established by Col. Donald Parson in 1975.

[2] This building houses a small number of exhibits mainly focusing on the base's World War II history as a training ground for the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, including a tribute to 1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson, for whom the base was named after a fatal crash.

The rear exit of the building leads to the Air Park, where the majority of the museum's aircraft are on display.

One was formerly used by the Broadmoor hotel for aircraft storage and transportation of clientele, and is now used as an archival and administrative building for museum personnel; this building is not open to the public, but a proposal has been put forward to convert it into more exhibit space.

[4] The other was used for public transportation by the original municipal airport and currently houses the majority of exhibits on the museum grounds.