Senator Farley Salutes Empire State Aerosciences Museum

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of presenting a New York State Citation to the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville, NY, on August 12th, honoring the museum’s 30th anniversary. Senator Farley also toured the facility and saw two new exhibits, the World War I and Space Rover displays. He also had the pleasure of meeting members of the 109th Airlift Wing, based out of Stratton Air National Guard Base in Schenectady, that participated in the Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.

The Senator’s Citation is as follows:

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging significant milestones in the distinguished histories of its esteemed entities; and

WHEREAS, The Empire State Aerosciences Museum (ESAM) will celebrate its 30th Anniversary during the week of August 9-17, 2014; and

WHEREAS, The festivities include a week-long visit of the Commemorative Air Force’s World War II B-17G Sentimental Journey, which flies in on August 11th, and ends with a dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant; a special event on August 12th will recognize the museum’s founders and unveil exciting new World War I and Space Rover exhibits; and

WHEREAS, ESAM was established in 1984 as a tax exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization; it received a provisional charter from the NYS Department of Education on July 25, 1984 and a permanent charter in 2010; and

WHEREAS, The museum maintains three prestigious research collections; the Coffyn, which covers the Wright Brothers exhibition team from 1910-1912, the Flanagan, which chronicles the daily activities of World War I from 1914 until 1918, and the Allen, which covers the Golden Era of aviation growth from 1927 until 1940; and

WHEREAS, Two main galleries at the museum house fragile aircraft, detailed models, dioramas, historical artifacts, memorabilia, and photographs; exhibits include the DePischoff “flying motorcycle” replica of Amelia Earhart’s plane and a 32’ scale model of the Japanese aircraft carrier “Akagi;” and

WHEREAS, ESAM also offers hands-on exhibits, including a mock-up of a 1910 Von Pomer airplane, a computer flying skills test, a Space exhibit, and a Simulated Reality Vehicle; and

WHEREAS, The approximately 5,000-10,000 annual visitors can also enjoy an outside Air Park which contains an extensive collection of planes, including a Tomcat, an Intruder, a Russian MiG, a Phantom, a Skyhawk, a Corsair II, a “Voodoo,” a “Warthog,” a “Thunderstreak,” and a “Wild Weasel;” and

WHEREAS, ESAM also maintains a Restoration Center and the Exhibit Shop; and

WHEREAS, The Museum also offers many outreach programs; school groups may visit the museum or enjoy its many programs right in their own school; and

WHEREAS, ESAM is proudly operated by an extremely dedicated and expert staff of volunteers who work on all areas of restoration, collection management, maintanence and grounds upkeep, exhibit creation, and office work; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That as a duly elected member of the New York State Senate, I take this opportunity to recognize the Empire State Aerosciences Museum upon its 30th Anniversary.