About the Wedell-Williams Memorial Foundation, Inc.  

The Wedell-Williams Memorial Foundation, Inc. was formed in 1974 with the goal of building a museum to honor Louisiana’s rich aviation history and to memorialize the achievements of aviation pioneers Harry P. Williams and Jimmie Wedell. The two men brought fame to the town of Patterson, Louisiana during the 1930s as their company, the Wedell-Williams Air Service, revolutionized the dangerous and glamorous sport of air racing, giving Patterson the enviable moniker, “the birthplace of speed aviation.” 

Today, the Foundation’s vast collection of 1930s aviation artifacts, along with its collection of early 20th-century cypress logging equipment and artifacts, is proudly on display at the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson, located off Highway 90. Visitors to the museum will have an opportunity to see items owned by Jimmie Wedell and Harry P. Williams, as well as replica Wedell-Williams racers, Jimmie Wedell’s personal trophy collection, and numerous other artifacts relating to the Golden Age of Aviation. Through the Cypress Sawmill collection, visitors will be able to experience the massive industry boom that put Patterson on the map in the early 20th century as a cypress production powerhouse. 

The Foundation’s primary goals are to support the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum both financially and with volunteer assistance, as well as to make available to the public Patterson’s rich aviation and industrial history. Accordingly, the Foundation pays for every guest who visits the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum, ensuring that anyone who wants to visit the museum and view the collections can do so for free. 

For more information about joining, please contact [email protected]