The National Cold War Center

05/13/2026

05/11/2026

During the Cold War, diplomacy wasn’t limited to speeches and negotiations — it could also take the stage through dance. Through groundbreaking performances around the world, Martha Graham helped showcase American culture and artistic freedom. Discover her impact in “Martha Graham and the Dance of American Diplomacy,” featured at the Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition. Learn more and plan your visit at the link! https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/bafb/

05/07/2026

Meet Elizabeth H. Smith, a founding board member and secretary of the National Cold War Center.

As Executive Director of the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Smith has long supported economic growth and community development in the region. Her leadership and dedication have played an important role in helping advance the vision for the future National Cold War Center in Blytheville.

We’re grateful for her commitment to both the community and the mission of preserving Cold War history. https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/about/

05/01/2026

What does it take to preserve the history of nuclear testing and the Cold War?

In this Cold War Forum discussion, Dr. Christian Ostermann and Dr. Victoria Phillips speak with Joseph Kent and Martha DeMarre of the National Atomic Testing Museum about the museum’s mission, its impact and the challenges of telling this powerful history.

Watch the full conversation at the link!

Dr. Christian Ostermann and Dr. Victoria Phillips with the National Cold War Center recently sat down with Joseph Kent and Martha DeMarre of the National Ato...

04/30/2026

A new exhibit is coming to the Blytheville Air Force Base!

"Arkansas Women to Watch 2026: Words Become Matter" debuts Friday, May 1, bringing a powerful collection of contemporary works to Blytheville. Organized by the Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, this traveling exhibition champions women in the arts who are shaping today’s creative landscape.
On view through July 9 — plan your visit!

04/29/2026

A former B-52 navigator, Vietnam POW, chaplain and national advisor, Col. Robert Certain’s journey reflects a lifetime of service shaped by perseverance and faith.

Today, he lends his experience to the National Cold War Center advisory board, helping preserve stories like his for generations to come.

Your support helps us build a space where legacies like this live on. Donate today at the link!

📷: Col. Robert G. Certain. Military Officers Association of America.
https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/about/

04/28/2026

What role did Blytheville play in the Cold War? More than you might think.

As a key Strategic Air Command and B-52 base, Blytheville Air Force Base was on the front lines of this global power struggle. Now, its Cold War legacy lives on at the BAFB Exhibition through rare artifacts and personal accounts from the era. Plan your visit and see what’s ahead for the National Cold War Center!
https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/bafb/

04/23/2026

Exciting things are on the horizon for the National Cold War Center — and our newsletter is the best way to stay in the loop! Sign up for Cold War Connection and get exclusive updates, exhibit news and behind-the-scenes info straight to your inbox. Subscribe at the link!
https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/

04/21/2026

From Catholic school in Philadelphia to the front lines of change at West Point, Susan Kratz charted a groundbreaking path through the Cold War era. As a member of one of the first West Point graduating classes to include female cadets, Kratz reflects on what it meant to step into a male‑dominated institution and emerge as a leader. She shares stories of attending jungle school in Panama, marching in Reagan’s first inauguration, serving more than 20 years as an officer and becoming the first female Professor of Military Science at Rutgers University. Tap the link to hear more!

Have your own story to share? We’d love to hear from you –– contact us!

🎥: Arkansas Northeastern College, Cold War Narratives.
https://youtu.be/CmwWzPW85Ik?si=sQAJ-CeJXSk_CUiE

04/17/2026

On April 17, 1961, more than 1,200 Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs in a covert attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist regime.

The invasion unraveled immediately — a failure that only deepened Cold War tensions. In its wake, Cuba strengthened its ties with the Soviet Union, paving the way for the Cuban Missile Crisis just over a year later. https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com

📷: Skyhawks of VA-34 in flight over USS Essex (CVS-9) during Bay of Pigs Invasion. April 1961. Public Domain.

04/15/2026

BIG NEWS! Thanks to a $1 million gift from Pattern Energy, the National Cold War Center is one step closer to opening its doors. This investment will help transform the historic Strategic Air Command site into a dynamic museum experience.

"The National Cold War Center is both locally significant and nationally important, and we are proud to support something this community has worked hard to make a reality," said Cary Kottler, Chief Development Officer at Pattern Energy.

We’re grateful for Pattern Energy’s partnership and excited for what’s ahead. Follow along as this vision continues taking shape! https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/news/ncwc-announces-1-million-donation-from-pattern-energy-to-advance-capital-campaign/