Every millennial who grew up dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot in Washtenaw County probably spent time in the cockpits of the historic aircraft at the
Yankee Air Museum.
Those dreams were all but snuffed out when a fire ravaged the museum in Willow Run in 2004. The fire in the hangar the Yankee Museum called home destroyed eight historic aircraft and tens of thousands of artifacts with it. It was a big blow to the staff and volunteers who worked to keep the museum running.
The uncertainty over the Yankee Air Museum's future ended this summer when construction began on a bigger and better home - renovating part of the historic bomber plant in Willow Run that built B-24 bombers during World War II. When the $15 million project is done it will be reborn as the National Museum of Aviation and Technology.
"We will become a national museum and destination point for people across the country," says Kevin Walsh, executive director of the Yankee Air Museum.
The Yankee Air Museum's old home measured at 20,000 square feet. The new space will be 144,000 square feet. The project will include all of the museum's famous planes, such as the
Yankee Lady B-17 bomber. It will also include extensive exhibits on 20th Century aviation in America and have a retail component.
"It's quite a bit bigger," Walsh says.
The Yankee Air Museum has raised about $4 million of the $15 million needed to pull off the project. Its staff of eight people and dozens of more volunteers have begun doing minor demo at the museum's new home. They plan to begin construction on the north side of the building next week. A target opening is set for 2017.
Source: Kevin Walsh, executive director of the Yankee Air Museum
Writer: Jon Zemke
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