View From HQ - 2010/06

168 MODEL AVIATION
Executive Director Jim Cherry
“I
“Fly every chance you can; you never
know when you’ll not be able to, and
then it’s too late.”
View From HQ
book, or object is something the museum
does not already have.
If you have a model that you would
like to donate, it must first be approved
by the Acquisitions Committee. For
more information about donating
artifacts to the collections, please go to
www.modelaircraft.org/files/804.pdf.
The collections storage area is not
open for general viewing, but
appointments for research purposes are
possible. Staff is also available to look
up information for you if you are unable
to travel to the museum, but please be
aware that research fees apply.
For more information, please contact
Maria at (765) 287-1256, ext. 508, or email
her at [email protected].
The archives are housed in the
National Model Aviation Museum. They
contain both records of the AMA and
manuscript collections donated by
individuals, clubs, and/or companies.
The archives include materials that
document the history of model aviation.
These materials include letters, posters,
certificates, booklets, pamphlets, cards,
photographic prints, slides and
negatives, plans, videotapes, audio
tapes, DVDs, 8mm and 16mm film,
letter-, legal- and over-sized paper,
photographic paper, and more.
The majority of the collection covers
the history of the AMA, its committees,
competitions, and internal functions.
The manuscript collections hold
personal correspondence, certificates,
photographs, and other memorabilia. We
have few records of individual clubs and
companies. The majority of the archival
collection is post-1972.
To donate your own manuscript
collection or to schedule an appointment
for researching the archives, please
contact Archivist/Assistant Historian
Jackie Shalberg. Her e-mail is jackies
@modelaircraft.org; telephone (765) 287-
1256, ext. 511; or mail address, 5151 E.
Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302.
Please contact the archivist before
sending any materials. Twenty-four
hours’ notice is required for in-person
research requests. Please call or e-mail
ahead to verify availability.
A visit to the National Model Aviation
Museum is free to AMA members and
has a nominal admission charge to the
general public. If you are planning a visit
to the museum between now and
November 24, 2010, the operating hours
are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4
p.m.
During the Nats, July 5 through
August 12, the museum will remain open
until 6 p.m. weekdays and until 5 p.m. on
weekends.
With the warmer weather, staff has
been very busy getting ready for the Nats
and other events. We have hired a new
museum education director. Bill Pritchett
will assume the role of leading the
Academy’s education outreach programs
on June 1.
With a background in education, Bill
is a fellow modeler who has competed in
the Nats and is a former president of a
local club. We are looking forward to
Bill’s expertise and leadership.
By the time you read this, we hope to
have named our new flying site
coordinator for the Academy, with a
renewed program in helping clubs find
and keep flying sites.
It was a brutal winter and the warm
weather is welcomed this year. As an oldtimer
in my club always reminded us,
“Fly every chance you can; you never
know when you’ll not be able to, and then
it’s too late.” MA
In the spirit of flight.
Jim Cherry
Executive Director
[email protected]
didn’t know that was here,” or
just plain “wow!” are two
comments we often hear at
AMA Headquarters. These comments are
usually from first-time visitors to the
National Model Aviation Museum.
Mention the word “museum” and
some people’s eyes glaze over or roll to
the back of their heads. This is not so at
AMA’s facility! Excitement and wonder
is the norm here. Although the models are
not in actual flight, one can feel the
excitement of past and present model
aviation history.
The National Model Aviation Museum
has the largest collection of model
aircraft in the United States. You can
discover how aeromodeling helped
change the world of aviation and examine
the astonishing craftsmanship and artistry
of its masters. The Cloud 9 Museum
Store offers educational items for all
ages.
During the summer months, you can
visit the 1,000-acre flying site and see
Academy members fly their aircraft in
competitions—especially on weekends
and during the National Aeromodeling
Championships (Nats) in July and
August.
Part of the mission of the National
Model Aviation Museum is to remember
and care for aeromodeling history by
preserving the physical legacy of the
sport. The museum collects threedimensional
objects relating to
aeromodeling that help convey the story,
evolution, and importance of the
modeling experience.
There are roughly 8,000 artifacts in
the collection, including model airplanes,
radio systems, engines, building tools and
equipment, and memorabilia such as
patches, stickers, and clothing.
The museum’s goal is to have as
complete a collection as possible and we
are always looking to add to it. Before
you mail anything, however, you must
contact Maria Van Vreede, the museum
registrar, to verify that the equipment,
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