Canadian Air & Space Museum launches $500,000 fundraising campaign to preserve its priceless collection of military history
TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - The now "temporarily virtual" Canadian Air and Space Museum is pleased to announce the launch of its first fundraising campaign to preserve its priceless collection of tens of thousands of displays, artifacts, archives and aircraft from decades of Canadian military history.
"During this time of Remembrance, our message is even more poignant, that institutions like the Canadian Air & Space Museum act as monuments and legacies to the historical value made by our veterans. It is becoming increasingly crucial to preserve their stories for future generations," said Ian McDougall, Chairman of the not-for-profit Canadian Air & Space Museum.
Since its eviction from Downsview Park in September 2011, the Museum has now packed its precious collection into 44, 40-foot freight containers. The Museum hopes to re-open its doors one day, but more immediately, funds need to be raised to ensure the safety and preservation of the existing collection.
Phase 1 of the fundraising campaign has a goal of $500,000, which will be primarily directed to two immediate needs:
1) Preserving the Museum's collection that now sits in 44 freight containers. Sizable indoor storage space needs to be found, with proper environmental conditions, for the contents to be unloaded before winter weather sets in. Afterwards, monthly storage rental fees needs to be covered.
2) Pay to construct a temporary hangar to store the Museum's two most precious items - the only full-scale metal replica of the Avro Arrow and the City of Toronto's WWII Lancaster Bomber (the aircraft that used to sit atop a pole alongside Lakeshore Blvd, in front of Ontario Place). These are the only two items remaining in the Downsview location, because due to their size, there is no current storage available for them.
The fundraising campaign is now on-line at http://www.indiegogo.com/casmuseum.
There are several donation levels to choose from, starting at $5.
Personal messages of support to the Museum can be viewed from Hollywood actor and pilot Harrison Ford and Canadian actress Amanda Tapping from the TV series Stargate and Sanctuary.
The Canadian Air & Space Museum (formerly the Toronto Aerospace Museum) opened its doors in 1998 in a historic location in Downsview Park. Housed in the original manufacturing facility of de Havilland Aircraft of Canada and later, SPAR Aerospace, the Museum captured the history of Toronto's and Canada's significant achievements in the areas of aviation and space exploration. On September 20, 2011, the Canadian Air & Space Museum's lease was terminated by its landlord Downsview Park and the Museum closed to the public. It plans to re-open its doors one day in an improved and exciting location.
SOURCE: Canadian Air & Space Museum
Media Interviews:
Ian McDougall
Chairman of the Board (volunteer position)
Canadian Air & Space Museum
Work: 905-405-1063
Alternate Media Contact (not for interviews):
Diana Spremo
Volunteer Media Liaison
Canadian Air & Space Museum
Cell: 905-484-9543
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