This month’s message from The Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum
Local Business Leaders Challenge Area Businesses:
Mid-Coast area business leaders Jim Howard, Frank Crooker, and Ted Crooker presented checks in the amount of $200,000 to the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum (BNAM) and delivered a challenge to other area businesses to match them.
In making his $100,000 donation, Jim Howard stated, “Naval Air Station Brunswick’s (NASB’s) economic, social and cultural impact was a shaping force in the history of the mid-coast region of Maine. We have a unique opportunity to preserve the sacrifice and service of the veterans and military families who served at NASB as well as to educate the youth in our community about the science and art of aviation. Please join me in contributing to the Wheels Up! capital campaign to create a first-rate attraction for all ages here at Brunswick Landing.”
Local business leader donate $200,000 to BNAM’s Wheels Up! capital campaign. L-R: Sean Liedman (BNAM President), Frank Crooker, Jim Howard, Ted Crooker, John Briley (BNAM Executive Director) Photo courtesy of BNAM
In delivering their combined $100,000 donation, Frank and Ted Crooker added, “Apart from NASB’s operations, few people are aware of this region’s rich aviation history dating back to the dawn of aviation. We are excited to contribute to telling the area’s aviation story and look forward to having that story preserved for future generations, and we challenge other area business leaders to match our donations.”
BNAM was founded in 2009 and acquired the former NASB chapel in 2015. “We are now ready to transform the former chapel into a world-class museum,” said museum Executive Director, John Briley, “and these generous donations will enable us to commit to the full scope of Phase 1, pegged at $585,000, but much more is needed to reach the total cost of $3.3 million.” This first phase includes ADA and safety requirements and a new inviting glass entrance opposite the P-3 “Orion” aircraft that will allow the large objects such as the P-3 cockpit mockup to be brought into the building.
Architect’s rendering of BNAM’s new entrance. Phase 1 construction is planned for completion in July 2023. Photo courtesy of BNAM
In the meantime, exhibit design work is underway to determine the most effective, engaging and appropriate methods to tell the NASB story. To do the job right, the costs of the exhibit work amount to about half the total renovation cost.
Museum President Sean Liedman stated, “We are most grateful for these significant donations by Jim, Ted, and Frank and their dedication to our community’s vitality. This Phase 1 construction project formally kicks off the transformation of our museum, and we look forward to actualizing the full vision of our $3.3 million capital campaign. We hope other area business leaders will commit to their challenge to assure this project’s success.”
Visit BNAM’s website. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and all contributions are income tax deductible within IRS guidelines.
Contact: John B. Briley, Executive Director
Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum
207-729-7216 | info@bnamuseum.org
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