Hilary Swank stars as Atchison-born aviatrix Ameila Earhart in "Amelia."

There’s something in the air in Atchison. It’s not a bird or a plane — it’s excitement.

Atchison native and famed pilot Amelia Earhart is the focus of “Amelia,” a Fox Searchlight movie starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor that will make its theatrical debut Friday at Atchison’s Royal Theatre.

In conjunction with the movie’s release, the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum will host an exhibit of items from “Amelia.”

Museum officials are keeping tight-lipped about the exhibit’s items, but Louise Foudray, resident caretaker and adviser of the museum, said several props and period-accurate clothing worn by Ms. Swank will be on display, including a replica of Ms. Earhart’s famous brown bomber jacket.

“We haven’t seen it all yet,” Ms. Foudray said. “The boxes arrived just about three days ago.”

The museum and the Royal Theatre have teamed up to offer moviegoers and history buffs a deal. It will cost only $10 to see the film and visit the museum this weekend.

The Royal is the only theater showing the film in the Atchison or St. Joseph areas. Both Ms. Foudray and Royal owner Ken Nagel say there have been more visitors to Atchison lately, and enthusiasm in the Kansas town is extremely high as the film’s debut nears.

“You can feel it. Everywhere I go, people are talking about ‘Amelia’ because they feel like Amelia’s part of them, part of their history,” Mr. Nagel says.

For more information, call the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum at (913) 367-4217 or the Royal Theatre at (913) 367-0222.

Shea Conner can be reached at sheaconner@npgco.com.

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‘Amelia’ exhibit

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, 233 N. Terrace St., Atchison, Kan.

■ Friday: 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

■ Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Theatrical debut

The Royal Theatre, 612 Commercial St., Atchison, Kan.

■ Friday: 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.

■ Saturday: 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.

Admission: $10 (includes movie ticket price and admission into the museum).

Tickets can be purchased at the Royal Theatre, the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum or the Visitors Information Center at Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. 10th St.