View From HQ - 2010/06
"I 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 Museum
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.
Collections and Donations
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 three-dimensional 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
- 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, 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; please be aware that research fees apply.
Contact for collections and registrar:
- Maria Van Vreede, Museum Registrar
- Phone: (765) 287-1256, ext. 508
- Email: [email protected]
Archives and Research
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 companies. The archives include materials that document the history of model aviation, including letters, posters, certificates, booklets, pamphlets, cards, photographic prints, slides and negatives, plans, videotapes, audio tapes, DVDs, 8mm and 16mm film, and various sizes of paper and photographic materials. 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. Please contact the archivist before sending any materials. Twenty-four hours' notice is required for in-person research requests—call or e-mail ahead to verify availability.
Contact for archives:
- Jackie Shalberg, Archivist/Assistant Historian
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (765) 287-1256, ext. 511
- Mail: 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302
Visiting the Museum
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: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
During the Nats (July 5 through August 12), the museum will remain open until 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 5:00 p.m. on weekends.
Staff and Events
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 to help clubs find and keep flying sites.
It was a brutal winter and the warm weather is welcomed this year. As an old-timer 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."
In the spirit of flight.
Jim Cherry Executive Director [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
