The National Heritage List for England that the museum now joins is held and managed by Historic England on behalf of the Government and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It identifies the buildings, sites and landscapes which receive special protection, so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations. There are over 400,000 items on the List, covering England’s most valued historic places. There are three grades of listing – Grade II, Grade II*[star] and Grade I.
The American Air Museum was purpose-built at IWM Duxford between 1995 and 1997 to exhibit Imperial War Museums’ collection of American military aircraft, widely regarded as the most impressive group outside the United States. IWM Duxford is considered Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield, from which historic and contemporary flying continues today.