In Stratford, Connecticut, the history of helicopters and the local aviation industry centers on the rise of rotary-wing flight, especially through Sikorsky Aircraft and Igor Sikorsky. Founded in 1983 by Dr. Raymond Jankowich and Robert McCloud, this collection connects Stratford to the broader evolution of vertical flight, from early devices and concepts to powered experiments and modern helicopters. A pivotal moment came with Igor Sikorsky’s first successful helicopter flight in Stratford on September 14, 1939, followed by production models. The story also includes local engineering such as Dr. Anselm Franz’s gas-turbine engines at Avco Lycoming, which powered aircraft including the Huey and Chinook.