Hammondsport, N.Y. - Snoopy and the Red Baron, a traveling
exhibition on view at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum from [March 7 – May 31,
2020], celebrates one of Snoopy’s most recognized personas. Learn about this
favorite storyline in Peanuts through high quality reproductions of original
comic strips and discover the rich World War I history Schulz used in nearly
every strip.
Visitors can also step into character as the Flying Ace by
donning flying caps and goggles for a photo-op next to Snoopy’s doghouse.
When asked about the origins of Snoopy’s aviator role,
Charles Schulz credited his son Monte’s interest in making plastic airplane
models as his chief inspiration. Schulz described drawing a little helmet on
Snoopy after seeing Monte’s World War I aircraft models, and “suddenly got the
idea for it.” He also cited 1960s events that commemorated the start of World
War I, and movies such as The Dawn Patrol. He immediately recognized the
potential of the Flying Ace, acknowledging, “I knew I had one of the best
things I had thought of in a long time.”
Throughout the decades, Snoopy comically embraced his
fighter pilot role for delighted Peanuts readers. As Snoopy envisioned himself
soaring through the clouds in pursuit of his nemesis, the infamous Red Baron,
he sat atop his doghouse, which he imagined to be a real British biplane known
as a Sopwith Camel (Schulz once said, “Can you think of a funnier name for an
airplane?”). He wandered through parts of Europe that World War I aviators genuinely
traversed, stopping in cafés to quaff root beers and flirt with French
mademoiselles. In everything he cartooned, Schulz strove for authenticity, a
point made especially clear by his Flying Ace storylines. (July 6, 1971)
Beyond the comic strip, Snoopy as the Flying Ace prompted
the manufacture of countless memorabilia items, including toys, games, music
boxes, and puppets. Fans dressed up their dogs in flying caps and goggles, and
Air Force squadrons adopted Snoopy as a symbol of their patriotism. This most
famous of all Snoopy’s personas continues to bring humor and nostalgic joy to
Peanuts fans all over the world.
“I don’t think there has been an animal character in a long
time that has done the different things that Snoopy has done,” Schulz once
reflected. “He’s an attorney. He’s a surgeon. He’s the World War I Flying Ace.”
Snoopy and the Red Baron is organized and toured by the
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, Santa Rosa, California.
About Glenn Curtiss Museum
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is an educational and cultural
institution that collects, preserves, and interprets transportation modes and
regional history, and celebrates the innovations and accomplishments of pioneer
aviator Glenn Hammond Curtiss. The museum contains a priceless collection
relating to early aviation and regional history. The museum also features a
75-seat theater, large open area for special events and a museum store. In
addition to seeing the museum displays and exhibits, visitors are welcome to
visit the Restoration Shop, talk with volunteer craftsman and watch them work
on historic craft. The museum is located at 8419 State Route 54 near Keuka Lake
and the historic village of Hammondsport.
For information: www.curtissmuseum.com or (607) 569-2160.
