The Wings of the North foundation was established in February 1998 after the Planes of Fame East Museum closed.

[2][3] Eventually named AirExpo, it was continued for 18 years despite lacking a permanent location.

[4] Although not used for display, the museum purchased Hangar 72D at Flying Cloud Airport for restoration and maintenance in December 2012.

[5] On 15 October 2016, a museum was opened on the south side of the airport, near the control tower.

[8] The museum reopened in a smaller hangar in the northwest corner of the airport on 9 September 2023.