THE FUTURE NATIONAL COLD WAR CENTER

Original story from the Arkansas Business Land of Steel Growth Report: https://digital.abpg.com/land-of-steel-growth-report_2024/page/10-11

Blytheville, recently named a top micropolitan area by Heartland Forward, largely on the strength of economic development in Mississippi County, is now preparing to become an international tourist destination thanks to the National Cold War Center.

Mississippi County leaders and a well-established board of national experts are working to preserve a critical chapter of American history with the establishment of the National Cold War Center. Set to open at the former Eaker Air Force Base in 2027, the center will commemorate and educate visitors about the Cold War, a global struggle that shaped much of the 20th century and continues to influence geopolitics today.

Congress designated the Cold War Center in 2023 as the future official museum of the Cold War.

“Since the organization’s inception, the National Cold War Center’s mission has been to become an accessible resource providing visitors from all over the country, and the world, engaging and interactive education on the realities of America’s role in the Cold War,” Mary Gay Shipley, chair of the National Cold War Center Board of Directors, said.

“This designation enshrines the NCWC as one of the nation’s official preservers and interpreters of one of the most impactful conflicts of the 20th century.”

The center will serve as a reminder of the tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, while also highlighting Blytheville’s unique place as a high-priority target for Russian nuclear forces.

During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were locked in an arms race, each building up massive stockpiles of nuclear weapons capable of global Renderings show plans for the National Cold War Center that is set to open in 2027 at the Blytheville Air Force Base. destruction. Blytheville’s Eaker Air Force Base was home to a fleet of B-52 bombers, long-range aircraft designed for nuclear strikes. As one of the major Strategic Air Command bases, Eaker Air Force Base became a prime target for Soviet military planners.

Had the Cold War turned hot, Blytheville and its surrounding areas would have faced catastrophic consequences, a reality that loomed large over the city and its residents during those years.

Eaker Air Force Base, initially known as Blytheville Air Force Base, opened in 1942 as part of the United States’ rapid military expansion during World War II. It initially served as a training site for aircrews but grew in importance during the Cold War as it transitioned to a base for B-52 Stratofortress bombers under the Strategic Air Command. At its height, Eaker was home to thousands of military personnel, all focused on the mission of maintaining readiness in case of a nuclear conflict.

Eaker Air Force Base was eventually closed in 1992. Since then, the base has been repurposed for various commercial uses, but the memory of its significance during the Cold War remains strong.

“People ask ‘Why Blytheville?’ and I respond, ‘Why not?’ We are standing on a piece of history,” said Liz Smith, executive director of the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Mississippi County was a Cold War battleground and a priority for our national defense. We have an opportunity to bring additional economic growth to the county through tourism, and we are excited to see the vision come to life.”

An advisory board of strong local and national leaders is spearheading the project. The board includes former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Christian F. Ostermann, who directs the Woodrow Wilson Center’s renowned Cold War International History Project in Washington, D.C.

“What [is happening] in Blytheville is important for our community but also our country,” said Hutchinson, whose first memories of the Cold War came when he was 12 years old, watching TV coverage of the Cuban Missile Crisis. “I understand how important it is to know our history and be aware of how history affects our future. For that reason, I’m delighted to support this effort.”

The National Cold War Center aims to be more than just a museum — it will be an educational hub, providing insight into the geopolitical tensions, technological advancements and human stories that defined the Cold War era. The base’s existing infrastructure serves as an authentic backdrop for these exhibits, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the environment in which Cold War strategy and defense were developed.

Additionally, the center will focus on the military aspects of the Cold War and the political, cultural and social ramifications of the global conflict. The Cold War impacted every facet of life during the second half of the 20th century, from the Space Race and the Cuban Missile Crisis to the rise of espionage and the constant threat of nuclear annihilation.

Establishing The National Cold War Center is a significant development for Mississippi County and the state. The center will not only preserve the history of Eaker Air Force Base and the larger Cold War struggle but will also serve as an educational resource for visitors eager to learn about one of the most consequential periods in modern history.

For more information, visit nationalcoldwarcenter.com.