Prince Georgians and aviation aficionados alike will soon be able to experience a little-known part of Black history, with an exhibit scheduled to open this fall at College Park Aviation Museum.
Operating in various capacities from 1940 to 1962 in Croom, Maryland, Columbia Air Center, also known as Riverside Airfield, was the first licensed Black-owned and operated airport in the United States. John W. Greene Jr., also known for his work in District of Columbia Public Schools, co-owned and managed the Columbia Air Center.
“Its history is little known, and we are set on changing that,” said John McCaskill, who served as host of a May 3 fundraiser for the exhibit, hosted at the College Park Aviation Museum.
While the airfield’s history is largely unsung, the Maryland National Capital Park Planning Commission (MNCPPC) began preserving this history in the 1980s and soon, the College Park Aviation Museum will open an exhibition, celebrating the barrier-breaking founding and work at Columbia Air Center.
Grassroots historian Dr. Patricia Sluby and the sons of Tuskegee Airman Herbert Jones Jr. donated much of the items for the upcoming exhibition, which is expected to open this fall amid national efforts by conservatives to obscure Black history and devalue diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
“Thank you,” McCaskill said, “for refusing to allow this history to be forgotten.”
‘This Exhibit Will Be Transformational‘
Dozens of attendees, including several Tuskegee Airmen, sat at tables just below several historic aircraft.
Kevin Cabrera, who works for MNCPPC’s Historic Resources Division, emphasized the significance of the moment.
“This exhibit will be very special, not just for College Park, for Prince George’s, for our Black community, and our pilot community,” said Cabrera. “This exhibit will be transformational to understanding the desire and curiosity of learning how to fly nationwide and worldwide. It will tell a story of people who just wanted to have fun, to teach, and to feel freedom— who saw themselves in the sky like the birds. To see that story play out in Prince George’s County is very special for us.”
Retired musician Larry Shorter, who may be the last surviving pilot who flew from Columbia Air Center, spoke with fond feelings and joy about the preservation of Black aviation. Shorter once performed with Otis Redding.
“I may be the last one here,” he said. “I’m thankful for the work that has been done to preserve this cherished history.”
Local leaders were present for the fundraiser, including Councilmember Jolene Ivey (D), College Park Mayor Faizul Shakur, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Tyler, and several College Park Councilmembers. Field of Firsts, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, and the sons of Herbert H. Jones Jr. served as key sponsors and each donated $25,000, and Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-District 4) and Washington Informer publisher Denise Rolark-Barnes were the event’s honorary co-chairs.
Congressman Ivey said he had particular pride supporting the exhibit, as his father served in the Air Force.
“When I was born, it was in a town just outside of Boston. My father couldn’t become a pilot but he had a love of flight. He always wanted to buy a plane and have a chance to fly it,” said Rep. Ivey, before honoring his father’s sacrifices. “Instead of buying a plane, he put me and my brother through college. He never was able to, largely because of his commitment to his family. I am proud to honor this group and this legacy because it’s important that it’s preserved.”