Hendersonville – Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville, causing significant damage. This notable museum was established to educate the public and highlight aviation history in North Carolina. It houses beautifully restored aircraft from around the world. According to Al Denn, the Museum Curator, during the storm, two to three feet of water entered the museum hangar; the rental hangars experienced six to eight feet of water; and the nearby runways were submerged under ten feet of water, not just from flooding but also from wind-driven water. The damage to the 30 aircraft on the field was overwhelming. Sadly, the majority of these losses are not covered by insurance.
However, volunteers, docents, and friends have all leapt to the aid of the Museum. Clean-up has been underway for some time, with people coming from all over the country—Ohio, Pennsylvania, and, of course, the Hendersonville area. Many artifacts, computers, air compressors, and display cases were ruined; the silt on the concrete floor had to be removed, and mold throughout the building, as well as on the aircraft, had to be addressed. The library, museum records, artwork, and other valuables were badly damaged. Jarrod Jarvis, president of the Western North Carolina Air Museum, mentions that fish—and even a beaver—could be found in the hangar, which damaged many classic aircraft.
Donations have been coming in steadily. A GoFundMe account—https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-restore-our-airfield-and-museum—is hoping to raise $20,000. They have now surpassed $12,000 and are hoping for more. A grant from the Hendersonville Community Foundation has also been received. Much needs to be restored, and it will be very costly.
Soon after the water receded, Museum members and volunteers decided to turn the property into a community supply center for the area. After identifying trapped communities—such as Bat Cave and Swannanoa—tools, food, water, medical supplies, and generators were flown to those areas. Two huge tractor trailers filled with supplies arrived, donated by a large concrete company owner and a fire department from Long Island, N.Y. Private and military helicopters, with the help of Wings of Hope Aviation Aid, joined forces to fly supplies to those stranded communities throughout WNC and Tennessee. Jarvis mentions that helicopter flights were coming in all day long and that he himself slept in the hangar many nights. This effort lasted nearly six weeks after the storm.
The WNC Aviation Museum is located at 1340 Gilbert Street, just 2.5 miles from downtown Hendersonville, adjacent to the Hendersonville Airport. An impressive collection of historic airplanes, along with displays of engines, flight manuals, models, and aviation artifacts, can be found there. Over the years, builders of these classic replicas have donated them to the Museum. Visitors can see aircraft from the 1910s to the 1980s that have vanished from visibility.
A replica of the plane flown by Orville and Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk in 1903 can be seen hanging near the entryway of the Museum. Visitors can view planes from World War I, such as a single-seat bi-plane fighter or a twin-seat 1917 Curtiss Jenny replica, as well as others from the World War II era. Many aircraft feature visual identification markings from their countries of origin—such as rondels or other military markings. There are also aviation and community aviation programs for youth. To allow enthusiastic youngsters to sit in and pretend to fly an aircraft or gyro-copter, smaller plane versions are available on the floor for them to enjoy. Additionally, videos, brochures, and books are scattered on tables throughout the museum for all to see. There is also an aviation-oriented gift shop on-site.
The Museum was attracting nearly 4,000 visitors a year from around the world. They offered guided tours for schools, service groups, and others interested in aviation history. Membership in this private 501(c)(3) organization starts at $30 for individuals, which includes a newsletter and access to speakers and programs throughout the year. The knowledgeable curators happily answer questions about the extraordinary history of some of these historic aircraft. Soon, according to Curator Denn, the Museum hopes to officially reopen to the public by the end of February. They need help from the community and appreciate donations as you are able.