Gift Shop And Model Museum Destroyed By Fire In August

The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has turned to the crowdfunding site gofundme in an effort to help rebuild its gift shop and model museum which was destroyed by a fire in August.

The fire occurred August 20th. While an employee noticed the fire shortly after it started, and multiple fire departments responded, it progressed too quickly to prevent the complete destruction of the building and the articles it housed. Fortunately, no one was injured by the blaze.

According to the description on the crowdfunding page:

"Included in the loss is all gift shop merchandise; all of Cole Palen’s stick and tissue rubber band models in the model museum; fuselage fabric from Cole’s original SPAD 13 WWI fighter, as well as a piece of original SPAD fabric from the 95th Aero Squadron; computers, registers, and credit card readers; and vintage showcases, desks and drawer units from the gift shop.

"Much of it is replaceable, a great deal is priceless and a huge loss. ORA is committed to rebuilding the structure and making it better, but the need for support and fundraising is greater than ever now."

The Aerodrome has already raised $280,000 through traditional methods, and has initiated the crowdfunding effort to raise the additional $100,000 needed to complete the project. Click on the link below for additional photos and to make a donation.

(Image from Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome gofundme page)

FMI: www.gofundme.com/vv5ydwfw