The Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation
The Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation honors the world-renowned aviation legacy of Amelia Earhart — whose dreams of flying began in her Atchison, Kansas, hometown.
The Foundation was founded to educate, inspire and empower all generations in the pursuit of flight. It is dedicated to inspiring future aviation and aerospace leaders through the story of Amelia Earhart’s tenacity and determination to overcome obstacles on her journey to become the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
In 2016, the Foundation acquired Muriel — the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E — an aircraft identical to the model Earhart flew on her final flight. Funds were raised to build a 17,000 square-foot hangar and terminal worthy of Amelia’s legacy and reminiscent of the Art Deco style of her time in 1920s and 1930s.
The Foundation also led a capital campaign to create the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas, where Muriel is the centerpiece.
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 her “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 with a mission to honor Earhart’s aviation legacy by educating and inspiring future generations in the pursuit of flight.
Today, Karen Seaberg continues Ladd’s vision as board chair of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation and president of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum — opening in 2023.
Foundation Board Members
President: Karen Seaberg, Chairman of the Board of MGP; Amelia Earhart Festival Chair
Vice President: Reed Berger, COO, Berger Company, Atchison, KS
Treasurer: Jacque Pregont, Amelia Earhart Festival Coordinator
Secretary: Lori Mingus, Freelance Graphic Designer, Lawrence, KS
Board Member: Brieannon Simmons, Kansas City, KS Businesswoman
The Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation is a 501(c)(3), FEIN 81-2950737.