Saw this from the museum's most recent newsletter (Fall 2014)
http://www.quonsetairmuseum.com/index.php?page=newsletter-archiveQuote:
Although part of the Quonset Air Museum’s mission is to restore
artifacts from Rhode Island’s rich aviation history, sometimes
those artifacts are just too far gone. Unfortunately, the very
building that houses our museum, Hangar #488, built in 1945, is
just one of those artifacts that is beyond saving.
After a visit from the local and state fire marshals, in advance
of a Big Sisters event we were scheduled to host in September, it
was determined that the hangar is unsafe for occupancy. After a
series of meetings with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, it
was determined that repairing the hangar was not economically
feasible. Ultimately, the building will be torn down, despite being
one of the last in the country of its kind.
However, the QAM’s members and volunteers are a hearty
bunch and never back down from a challenge. While the old
hangar may be going away, there’s a good chance we will be
able to build a new sctructure in its place. There are a number
of factors that need to take place for this to happen, but we will
keep you posted along the way.
In the mean time, we will continue along as usual, except that
this year, we are temporarily closing for the winter months and
re-opening on March 1, 2015.
Something new to focus on for now though is the launching
of a new way to raise funds – with PayPal and ‘crowdfunding’
(see cover story). Judging from the constant state of aircraft
restoration, in all kinds of weather, we have the muscle. As for
the money, we need your help in spreading the word.
To kick things off, we have added a PayPal Donation button
to our website, which will allow visitors to donate whatever
they can to help fund various restoration projects and, when the
time comes, the new building, which is expected to be a 15,000
sq. ft. facility, with a cost of approximately $750,000. While this
cost may seem daunting, QAM has already gotten $60,000 in
committed donations, and will add $22,500 to that figure from
the General Fund, contingent upon the property owners agreeing
to both the construction of a new building and a substantial
lease extension. Provided we clear those hurdles, we’ve already
raised more than 10 percent of the total cost of the new hangar!
We believe that with a concerted effort by our members,
volunteers and visitors, that we will have no problem raising the
funds needed to continue our successful museum. So tell your
friends, tell your neighbors, we’ve got some money to raise!
Regards,
Dave Stecker
President
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I hope they are able to raise the necessary funds.
