VANCOUVER, Wash. USA — In Vancouver Saturday people gathered to protest the closure of the Pearson Air Museum.
The museum was shut down Wednesday. The closure followed a dispute between the National Parks Service, which owns the land and building, and the Fort Vancouver National Trust, which operates it.
The Pearson Air Museum has long been part of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, housed in a retired hangar at the oldest operating airfield in the West. It not only serves educational purposes but also hosts dozens of community events — including weddings.
“It’s one of the few larger locations with a larger floor room that there is in our community,” said protester Diane Green Hartley. “And that has been lost to our community.”
According to the museum’s website, “Aircraft on display at Pearson Air Museum are either owned by the Trust or on loan from private donors. The aircraft have all been safely moved and securely stored. Owners of loaned aircraft will be contacted by Trust staff regarding their direction for the disposition of their property. Aircraft owned by the Trust will be maintained for potential future use through educational programs.”
The Fort Vancouver National Trust, which runs the museum, reports that it “is deeply disappointed with the sudden termination of the cooperative agreement and the orders to immediately and permanently cease all operations of Pearson Air Museum.”
Thanks to @jetcitystar for the tip.