Bronze Statue Of Amelia Earhart Welcomes Visitors

The Spirit of Flight Center announced a new addition recently to the Colorado-based air museum... a very special full-size bronze statue of pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart, donated to the Spirit of Flight collection by Don and Kitty Darrow of Mukilteo, WA thanks to the efforts of Mark Darrow.

The bronze statue is the same as the one that stands in the town square of Earhart's birthplace of Atchison, KS (above).

The story of how the statue made it to Colorado is an interesting one. First, it was carefully de-installed from the Darrow estate in May by Bob Hammer and the Legend Flyers team of Everett, WA. It was then moved to the Me262 Project facilities where it was attached to a custom made base.

After building a wooden container that looked like a coffin, the stature was shipped to the Spirit of Flight Center in Lafayette, CO where it was placed in the front lobby for all visitors to view.

"The donation of this amazing statue is truly appreciated and we want to extend a very special thanks to the Darrow Family, Legend Flyers and all of the folks who hurt their backs carefully moving this magnificent piece of art," said Gordon Page, Managing Member of the Spirit of Flight Center. "The addition of Amelia really rounds out our Women in Aviation display."

The Spirit of Flight Center facility features over 500 aviation artifacts at its current 2500 sq. ft. location. The Spirit of Flight Center plans to move to a larger facility at Erie Airport (KEIK) which will house hundreds of other artifacts as well as aircraft including a Messerschmitt Bf-109, P-51 Mustang, PT-19A (a Tuskegee Airmen example) and several vintage jets.

Museum visitor Bob Hodapp of Erie, CO said "The Amelia Earhart statue is a fantastic addition and I can’t believe how life-like it is. The Spirit of Flight Center keeps growing and is different every time I stop by. I love it!"

A special unveiling of the bronze statue is planned for later this summer, as the center works to raise money for the new facility in Erie.

FMI: www.spiritofflight.com