Children's Museums

Hamilton Field History Museum

Name: Hamilton Field History Museum
Address: 555 Hangar Ave, Novato, CA 94949, Novato, CA, US
Telephone: (415) 382-8614
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (37 reviews)

📍 555 Hangar Ave, Novato, CA 94949

📞 (415) 382-8614

🌐 novatohistory.org/hamilton-air-field

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	12–4 PM
Thursday	12–4 PM
Friday	Closed
Saturday	12–4 PM
Sunday	Closed

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About Hamilton Field History Museum

Hamilton Field History Museum is a children's museum in Novato, CA. Hamilton Air Force Base operated as an active military facility until 1974 and was strategically important during WWII, now preserved through this museum. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 37 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Military History Museum
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Cockpit simulator, WWII artifacts, veteran docents
Admission: Free
History: Hamilton Air Force Base operated 1932-1974

💡 Did You Know?

🏛️Hamilton Air Force Base operated as an active military facility until 1974 and was strategically important during WWII, now preserved through this museum
⭐The museum features a working cockpit simulator that visitors can interact with
⭐Many active veterans serve as docents at the museum and voluntarily share their firsthand knowledge and experiences from 20th-century conflicts
⭐The museum maintains a research library with a significant collection of wartime documents available for visitor research
🏛️The museum offers videos documenting the site's transformation from grassland to active air force base, providing historical context of the area's development

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Engage with the veteran docents on staff—they often share firsthand knowledge and personal experiences from 20th-century conflicts, making the exhibits significantly more meaningful than a self-guided visit
💡Start with the short video about Hamilton Field's history to get the full context from grassland to air base, then explore the exhibits and artifacts with a better understanding of the site's transformation
💡Plan time to use the cockpit simulator—it's a popular interactive highlight, especially for kids, so arriving early or on weekdays may mean shorter waits
💡Combine your museum visit with a walk along the nearby levee to maximize your time at this free attraction and enjoy the local area
💡If you're researching WWII history or family military records, take advantage of the on-site research library with its collection of wartime documents—call ahead to confirm access and hours