National Park Service Continues Progress and Innovation at Pearson Air Museum

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Date: May 19, 2014
Contact: Theresa Langford, Curator, 360-816-6252
Contact: Eva Dodd, Park Guide, 360-816-6241

The National Park Service continues its commitment to the success of Pearson Air Museum, and to working in cooperation with the many volunteers, partners, community leaders, local businesses, and others who desire to protect the nationally-significant resources associated with Pearson Air Museum and to ensure that the aviation history it commemorates is here for future generations to enjoy and explore.

The museum continues to be open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, with no admission charge. Last year over 15,000 visitors enjoyed the museum, not including those attending special events.

The National Park Service has put together a staffing plan to effectively operate Pearson Air Museum, and has identified a full-time museum manager who will be transitioning into the position in July. More information will be made available next month. In addition, park guides and additional volunteer docents will enliven the museum for visitors with guided tours and interactive programs.

The national park's team of museum specialists is actively redesigning and enhancing exhibits in the museum, as well as acquiring new exhibits. Likewise, interpretive programs developed last year will be continued along with a staggered launch of new educational opportunities.

"We are moving forward in a thoughtful and positive way," noted Superintendent Tracy Fortmann."We appreciate those locally who have reached out to us in support and we are looking forward to connecting with more individuals who are interested in working together in shared purpose. Likewise, this is a wonderful opportunity to reach out nationally to identify new and exciting ways to share our area's proud aviation history."

"We are focusing on several different themes for exhibits," said Curator Theresa Langford. "We welcome conversations with individuals or entities who are interested in donating or lending antique aircraft or other aviation artifacts to the National Park Service for Pearson Air Museum, both those who had objects on display in the past and those who are new to the site."

The historic themes of Pearson Air Museum are diverse and include World War I aircraft and the Spruce Production Division, the Army Air Service (and 321st Observation Squadron), interwar-era aircraft, and the many unique events tied to the Pearson Field, including early aviation experiments and notable events, such as Lincoln Beachey's 1905 dirigible flight, Oakley Kelly and Carlton Bond's support of civilian aviation in the Northwest, the 1924 Douglas World Cruisers stop, and the first transpolar flight by Chkalov in 1937. Prospective donors or lenders, please contact Curator Theresa Langford at (360) 816-6252.

Pearson Air Museum is also available for special events, providing a distinctive setting and a unique opportunity to connect with your national park. If you are interested in holding an event at Pearson Air Museum or elsewhere within Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, please visit the park's special event webpage at http://go.usa.gov/kTC4 or contact Park Guide Eva Dodd at (360) 816-6241.



Last updated: February 28, 2015

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