A piece of Rhode Island’s aviation history may disappear forever. The Quonset Air Museum is in danger of being permanently dismantled if its present home cannot be repaired or if a new location cannot be found.
Founded in 1992, the air museum has been educating the public about our state’s rich aviation history and, is the home of 28 aircraft including civilian, military, and prototype aircraft dating back more than seventy years – from 1944 all the way through to 1983! It boasts the inclusion of a one-of-a-kind Twin Tail Navy transport in its collection. The museum has been a favorite destination as part of the Quonset Air Show.
The Quonset Air Museum has been housed on three acres, in an original Naval Air Station Quonset Point hangar, that was built in 1945. During the past winter, the building sustained significant damage and the volunteers who have lovingly crafted this museum have been told they need to vacate the space by September 30 of this year. If a new space cannot be found, the possibility exists that all of the aircraft may be destroyed.
I am asking our citizens to save the Quonset Air Museum, and its aircraft and exhibits from possible destruction. It would be a shame to see such an important part of Rhode Island history disappear.
Please go to my on-line petition(http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-the-quonset-air?source=c.em&r_by=7093210) so that you can let your legislators know that you want to preserve history.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Representative Doreen M. Costa
Deputy Minority Leader
Vice Chair Committee on Judiciary