Historical Context

Maps

Readings

Images

Activities

Table of
Contents

This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file, “Floyd Bennett Field Historic District,” materials in the files of the VRF-1 Association and the Floyd Bennett Field Task Force, as well as published sources related to the history of Naval Air Station New York (Floyd Bennett Field) and the Grumman Corporation's aircraft production in World War II. Richard Reed and James Van Westering of the Floyd Bennett Field Task Force wrote Floyd Bennett Field: Naval Aviation's Home in Brooklyn with assistance from the staff of Gateway National Recreation Area, National Park Service. Education consultant, Jean West, and the Teaching with Historic Places staff edited the lesson.

*Special note to teachers:
While the official naval designation for the air base was Naval Air Station New York during the period from 1941 to 1972, informally the base was always also referred to as Floyd Bennett Field. The name "Floyd Bennett Field" never went out of general widespread use.

Where it fits into the curriculum
Topics: This lesson could be used with units on World War II, Women's History, or units on measurement in mathematics.
Time Period: Mid-20th century
Relevant United States History Standards for Grades 5-12
Relevant Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
Find your state's social studies and history standards for grades Pre-K-12

Floyd Bennett Field: Naval Aviation's Home in Brooklyn relates to the following Standards for School Mathematics developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics:

Measurement
Instructional programs from prekindergarten through grade 12 should enable all students to--

• understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement;
• apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements

Materials for students
The materials listed below can be used directly on the computer or can be printed out, photocopied, and distributed to students.
1) four maps including a Floyd Bennett Field Historic District map, a regional map showing the Field's relationship to World War II aircraft factories, and national maps showing naval air ferry routes, stopover and terminal sites;
2) three readings about Floyd Bennett Field, including its role in the Battle of the Atlantic, the story of Grumman Corporation's woman aircraft workers who built planes delivered to Floyd Bennett Field, and the Naval Air Ferry Command's role in delivering newly-commissioned airplanes to combat-bound units in World War II;
3) eight photographs of Floyd Bennett Field and the men and women whose efforts made it so successful during World War II.