Here in LI,NY,US there is a new museum opening on May20 called The Cradle of Aviation Museum. You might think it's any old Museum but It's most certainly not! The state has been working on the construction for 33 years! This includes and amazing 7 story IMAX, a museum, hall of fame and much much more!

It all started up in the 50's when the LI Association decided to raise money for an Aviation Museum. (Wish I was alive to see the whole thing!) Andrew Yenaley became President of the Aviation Historical Society and he wanted to make a History Museum of Aviation on Long Island.

Members of the L.I. Early Fliers Club and Suffolk air force bases officials predicted there would be an air museum would be on L.I. by 1960. Then in 1964 Port Washington Chamber of Commerce wanted to develop an Aviation Museum in Manor Haven. Nassau Planning Commision wanted to develop an aviation hall of fame.

In '69 Eugene Nickerson, Edward Smits and Preson Bassett thought there could possibly be a museum at Roosevelt Field.7 years later County Museum Officials allow there to be aircrafts in the future museum.

The tiny museum opens inside two hangers in Mitchel Field in 79 and in '80 Nassau County provides 1.79 million to stabilize buildings in the museum. 5 years later they approve of $36million expenditure for the museum but they put the project on hold.

For the next four years Nassau county spent $30 million on expansion for the museum, $12.4 million for an IMAX theater and $1 million to remodel the museum. The Remodeling is postponed of preliminary work though.

The museum closes again in 95 for more renovations and is scheduled to reopen in 98. Thomas Gulotta spends $30 million and says it will open in '98. In '98 The outside structure of the IMAX is finally finished.

In '00 Pataki announces the museum will receive $1million when it opens from the state. The ribbon should be cut by the End of 2001. In 2002 the museum is scheduled to be opened on may 20 and the total construction bill was $40 million!

I'm so excited for the opening and I think this is a great chance for people to learn about the world of Aviation. Please come to LI and see this amazing architectual museum.

I am not sure this thread is in the correct forum as this is a discussion forum. I will think about the suitability and might move it later.

I have thought - I am moving it to the History and Geography forum.

[ 05-12-2002, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: sue943 ]