Heritage Flight Museum Set to Begin Expansion

After years of planning and preparation, the Heritage Flight Museum is ready to break ground on their much-anticipated expansion, adding more space for aviation exhibits, historical artifacts, and maintenance facilities.

Heritage Flight Museum was founded in 1996 by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders and his wife Valerie and has been located at Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington since 2014. This expansion will add a 11,300 square foot hangar building to house a new maintenance facility, as well as two exciting new historical exhibits: The ’68 Experience and the Earthrise Gallery.

The Earthrise Gallery will include the iconic photograph taken by Anders while piloting the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. This acclaimed photo of the Earth and some of the Moon’s surface taken from lunar orbit, has been heralded as one of the most significant images of the 20th century. The gallery will also feature other artifacts and memorabilia from Major General Anders’ storied career.

“We are thrilled to transition from essentially two aircraft hangar spaces to a true Museum and Events Center facility. I believe it will be an excellent community asset and is critical to our long-term survival,” stated Greg Anders, Executive Director of Heritage Flight Museum. “Of course, nothing is as critical as the local support we will continue to require. We have had strong support but we continue to look to successfully complete the Capital Campaign for this expansion so as not to eat into our operating funds.”

Skagit Regional Airport – KBVS

15053 Crosswind DR, Burlington, WA 98233 :: 360.424.5151 :: www.heritageflight.org

501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization :: Tax ID # 91-1923298 Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law

A groundbreaking event, which will be invitation-only due to COVID restrictions, will be held on March 22nd at 11am. Bill and Valerie Anders will be on hand to make the ceremonial “first dig” to mark this exciting occasion for the museum and the whole community.

The Heritage Flight Museum houses 15 vintage aircraft, several antique military vehicles, a library and many artifacts donated by veterans. Most notably, it is also the only museum north of Olympia that flies its vintage aircraft.

Museum staff are looking forward to resuming normal operations when federal, state and local guidelines permit. It is also their goal to offer additional event space for hosting large fundraisers, parties and dinner events for outside groups, once the expansion is complete this October.

For more information about Heritage Flight Museum, visit www.heritageflight.org

Contact:
Karen Hicks, Event Manager
(360) 488-4435