Meet Muriel – The Last
Lockheed Electra 10-E Aircraft

The centerpiece of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum is Muriel, the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E, which is identical to the plane Earhart flew on her final flight. Named after Earhart’s younger sister, Grace Muriel Earhart Morrissey, Muriel is one of only 14 Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft ever made.

Uncover the Aircraft’s History

The last of only 14 Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft ever made, Muriel was built in 1935 by Lockheed and first sold to Pan America Airways, where it flew in South America. In the 1950s, the plane served commuters between Boston, Cape Cod and New York City. In 1970 skydivers started climbing onto its wings and jumping out. A Florida museum acquired the plane where it sat outside. When museum closed in the mid-1980s, the plane was in such poor condition it was deemed only suitable for scrap.

Fortunately, it was saved by a female pilot and mechanic in California who christened the plane Muriel after Amelia’s younger sister. For 30 years, it was painstakingly restored, with the goal of flying it on the same world flight path as Amelia. Sadly, health conditions prevented the flight.

Ladd Seaberg’s Vision

Like Amelia Earhart, the late Laidacker (Ladd) Mannan Seaberg (1946-2017) was an adventurous spirit. Ladd’s high school aviation experiments were awarded 1st place by NASA, the Army Aviation Association, and the U.S. Air Force at the 1964 National Science Fair. The Atchison business leader, philanthropist, and pilot was fascinated with Earhart’s pioneering life and championed countless initiatives to honor Atchison’s most famous resident.

When Ladd and his wife Karen Seaberg learned about Muriel, they set out to bring the plane home to Atchison, the birthplace and childhood home of Amelia Earhart. Together, they formed the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation with a vision to acquire the plane and build an aviation museum to honor Earhart’s aviation legacy by educating and inspiring future generations in the pursuit of flight.

How marvelous is a machine and the mind who made it.

Bringing Muriel Home

The Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation purchased Muriel in 2016 to start a new museum in Amelia’s hometown of Atchison, Kansas. Her homecoming, August 8, 2016, was celebrated by City of Atchison.