In the hopes that the Quonset Air Museum will once again take flight, state lawmakers have asked the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to delay its orders for the museum to vacate the premises.
The museum, which preserves Rhode Island’s aviation history through collections and exhibits, was grounded in March when the building suffered a partial roof collapse due to heavy snow. Safety officials condemned the building, leaving the museum homeless.
“It remains to be seen if the museum can be relocated or if enough funds can be raised to rebuild the existing structure,” said North Kingstown Sen. James Sheehan. “But it merits more time to determine if it can be saved. Losing this unique touchstone with America’s aviation history would be most regrettable.”
The museum was founded in 1992 with the assistance of then Governor Bruce Sundlun, a Jamestown resident. The condemned building is an original Naval Air Station Quonset Point hangar built in 1945.
“This museum has served as an important and inexpensive reminder of the sacrifice that military personnel made during World War II and the Korean War,” North Kingstown Rep. Robert Craven said. “To allow that reminder to vanish is disrespectful to that legacy.”
Lawmakers have contacted Kelly Fredericks, executive director of the state airport corporation, to stay the eviction order for a period of time necessary to determine if the museum can be saved.
During a meeting in September, the Jamestown Town Council was asked by North Kingstown Rep. Doreen Costa to sign a resolution supporting the Quonset museum. The councilors unanimously voted to approve the resolution.
SOURCE: http://www.jamestownpress.com/