Selfridge Military Air Museum hosts an unveiling of their latest passion project:
THE JENNY
on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11 a.m.
The doors will be open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation will start at noon.
The Curtis JN-4, affectionately known as the "Jenny," is one of the most historically significant aircraft in American aviation history. First introduced during World War I, the Jenny was the primary training aircraft used by the United States military to prepare its pilots for combat. Thousands of young men learned to fly in planes just like her, and her legacy stretches far beyond the war itself. After WWI, surplus Jennys became the backbone of barnstorming culture across the country, introducing everyday Americans to the wonder of flight for the very first time.
For FreeStar Financial Credit Union, the Jenny is more than a piece of aviation history. She is a symbol of where we came from.
FreeStar Financial was founded in 1957 on Selfridge Air National Guard Base, built to serve the men and women connected to aviation and military service right here in Macomb County. The base has been home to pilots, mechanics, and military families for over a century, and the Jenny represents the very era of flight that shaped Selfridge's earliest identity. When the opportunity arose to purchase a Jenny and donate her to the Selfridge Military Air Museum, it was an easy decision. It was a chance to give something meaningful back to the community that gave us our start.
Watching the restoration unfold has been nothing short of remarkable. The dedicated volunteer crew at Selfridge Military Air Museum has poured countless hours of skill, patience, and craftsmanship into bringing this aircraft back to life. From fabricating damaged metal panels by hand to carefully reassembling the wings and routing control cables, every step of this process has been a labor of love. And we have been proud to support it every step of the way. When the Jenny takes her place on display at the museum, she will serve as more than a showpiece. She will be a teaching tool, a conversation starter, and a bridge between generations. She will connect visitors to the history of this base, this community, and the brave men and women who served here. For our members, many of whom have deep ties to military service themselves, that connection is personal.
Nearly 70 years after our founding, FreeStar Financial is still here, still rooted in this community, and still committed to the same values that brought us to Selfridge in the first place. The Jenny is a reminder of all of that. She is our history, our community, and our story: now restored, preserved, and ready to inspire for generations to come.
REGISTER FOR THE UNVEILING
GETTING ON BASE:
There are security requirements at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base that must be followed. If you do not have a government ID that you use to access military bases, or other secure government areas, you must get Pre-Approved Access by going to their website: www.selfridgeairmuseum.org then click on the yellow box that says Pre-approved access. Fill out the form and click SEND. THIS MUST BE DONE AT LEAST 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE of your visit, so please do this ASAP! You will be notified when your security clearance has been approved.
All guests entering the Selfridge Air National Guard Base must have a valid ID, like an enhanced driver's license, passport or birth certificate, plus, drivers will need a current registration and proof of insurance for their vehicle ready to be presented to Security at the Base main gate.
GET BASE ACCESS
