How Hangar 25 Air Museum Turned RV Parking Into $30K+ in Revenue
Hangar 25 Air Museum turned their unused parking space into a reliable revenue stream by partnering with Harvest Hosts. Learn how this nonprofit museum welcomed over 1,000 RV travelers, boosted donations, and expanded its reach — all without spending a dime.
Preserving History in Big Spring, Texas
Founded in 1999 by a group of local citizens and retired Air Force members, Hangar 25 Air Museum is located at the historic U.S. Army Air Force Bombardier Training School in Big Spring, Texas. The museum is dedicated to preserving military and aviation history and honoring the grit, teamwork, and sacrifice that shaped America.
Like many small nonprofits, Hangar 25 operates with a limited budget, relying on donations and volunteers to keep its doors open. That’s where Harvest Hosts came in.
A Simple Solution: Hosting RV Travelers
Harvest Hosts is a unique RV membership program that connects over 250,000 travelers with overnight stays at small businesses, museums, farms, and wineries across North America. For nonprofits like Hangar 25, it’s a cost-free way to:
Attract new visitors
Boost gift shop sales and donations
Gain free exposure to a network of engaged, respectful travelers
“We’re a small organization with a very limited budget and no funds for publicity. Being right off the interstate, people can easily take a quick exit and find us. Since we can’t afford billboards, Harvest Hosts provided a great opportunity for free advertising,” said Martha, a museum representative.
Easy to Start, Easy to Manage
With help from the Harvest Hosts team, Hangar 25 set up a host profile complete with:
- A written description and photos of the property
- Parking details and rig size limits
- Guidelines for visiting
- A simple availability calendar
Within days, bookings started rolling in — and the museum quickly discovered how powerful hosting could be.
From Parking Spots to Profit
Since joining in 2015, Hangar 25 has hosted over 1,000 RV stays, generating an estimated $30,000–$50,000 in additional revenue and donations.
Guests often buy tickets, make generous donations, or shop for unique items in the museum’s gift shop — from World War II memorabilia to gifts for family members.
“People can spend anywhere from $25 to more than $100, which is a lot for a small gift shop. Our best shoppers are Harvest Host folks,” Martha said.
Guests Love the Experience
Travelers consistently leave glowing reviews, praising the museum’s unique history and welcoming atmosphere. Many even recommend it to other RVers, helping Hangar 25 gain valuable word-of-mouth marketing at no cost.
Why It Works
- Free to join — no hosting fees
- Flexible — you choose when to accept guests
- High-value guests — Members are respectful, generous, and love to support local nonprofits
“You Have Nothing to Lose, and Everything to Gain”
By opening their parking lot to RVers, Hangar 25 gained a reliable source of revenue and increased visibility without any additional costs or commitments.
“Harvest Hosts Members have become our voice, and they shout it out,” said Martha.
Ready to Turn Your Parking Lot Into Revenue?
If your museum, nonprofit, or attraction has unused space and a passion for sharing your story, Harvest Hosts can help you reach thousands of travelers and generate meaningful revenue.
Learn more at harvesthosts.com/hosts or email us at listings@harvesthosts.com.
