FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
WACO Historical Society: Don Willis – 937.335.0745; Eaglenestventure@aol.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$530,000 for WACO Museum and Aviation Learning Center
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $530,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the WACO Museum and Aviation Learning Center.
The WACO Historical Society is working to re-create the former home of the Troy-based WACO Aircraft Company. The company was the U.S.’s largest producer of civilian and commercial airplanes between 1928 and 1935, and producer of combat gliders for the Allied Forces during World War II. WACO’s 77-acre site is currently home to the WACO Aircraft Museum and historic WACO Field, a grass airstrip. The WACO Historical Society will utilize state funds to build a new 6,000-square-foot Museum-Learning Center inside a replica of the original WACO Service Hangar. State funds also will be used to make improvements and modifications to the existing hangar, which will permit on-site restoration of these vintage aircraft. The project will double museum and learning center space, allow for the display of artifacts now in storage, and provide dedicated classroom space for educational programming. The project also will include driveway improvements to enhance accessibility and to more efficiently handle bus tours and large groups.
“We are in the process of finalizing partnerships with state and national aviation museums to display their exhibits,” said Karen Purke, Executive Director of WACO Historical Society. “In addition, we will add never-before-displayed exhibits from Hartzell propeller, a nearby sister Ohio aviation pioneer.”
“I am pleased to learn of the approval of funds for the WACO Museum and Learning Center. This project is an excellent example of the importance of the history of aviation in our area. I am pleased to give my support to the museum and to the mission being conducted there,” said Representative Richard Adams (R-Troy).
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the WACO Historical Society to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 850 of the 122nd General Assembly and Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126th General Assembly. Miami County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bills include Senator Tom Roberts; former Senators Robert Cupp and Rhine McLin; and former Representatives Jim Buchy, Diana Fessler and Robert Netzley.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
