THE FUTURE OF THE EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM CAMPUS SECURE! NEW INVESTORS CLOSE DEAL WITH BANKRUPTCY COURT ON MKS PROPERTY.
News Release from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
McMinnville, OR (Aug. 19, 2016) -- The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum and Wings & Waves Waterpark (EASM), a 501c3 entity, is pleased to announce that an investor group - The Falls Event Center LLC - has delivered the funds to purchase assets formerly owned by the Michael K. Smith Foundation, which had filed for bankruptcy in January of this year. Judge Dunn acknowledged the sale at a hearing that took place Friday morning, August 19th in Portland. The completion of the sale is expected within a few days. EASM is confident that The Falls Event Center LLC will be a supportive and collaborative landlord and will help to foster the growth of the Museum's mission "to inspire and educate, promote and preserve aviation and space history, and honor the patriotic service of our veterans".
The Falls Event Center LLC, partially owned by Steve Down, an Oregon native, has provided the funds needed to complete the purchase of these assets, which include: Wings & Waves Waterpark, the Evergreen Chapel and the Evergreen Space Museum. The EASM will continue to operate these facilities with normal hours and procedures and will work with a transition team on future enhancements. In addition to the buildings listed, nine artifacts and the land surrounding the current museum facilities were acquired through the sale. At this time, there is no plan to move any of the artifacts off-site.
"It is outstanding that with the court settlement today, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum with its new partners, will be able to enhance our community, state and nation far into the future. As it strives to become a destination that will encompass a world class museum and education center for everyone to enjoy," stated John Rasmussen, Museum Board President.
"We are excited to become a part of the community of McMinnville, OR and the surrounding Willamette Valley through this purchase. We know that the Museum is a tourism draw for the region and we are planning to support and to grow the campus as originally envisioned by the founder, Delford M. Smith. We intend to help the Museum become Oregon's top destination within a few years," said The Falls Event Center CEO Steve Down.
The Museum management team is working closely with The Falls Event Center LLC to ensure a seamless transition of the Wings & Waves waterpark in the new year. EASM will continue to operate and enhance programs, events and activities as tenants on the campus. EASM continues to be the home of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat, "Spruce Goose," and over 150 other air and space artifacts. EASM educational programs are offered on location and at regional satellites, including the Pierson Air Museum in Vancouver, WA.
Come! Be Inspired!
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Evergreen Museum Campus:
Located in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley wine country, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum ("EASM") is the home of the world's largest wooden flying boat, the "Spruce Goose," the SR-71 "Blackbird," and the Titan II SLV Missile. Located on over 200 acres and encompassing four massive and magnificent buildings, the EASM exhibits more than 200 historic aircraft, spacecraft, accessible to visitors of all ages and enhanced with artwork and traveling exhibits. The Museum values its educational mission "to inspire and educate" and it's partnerships with the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, the Oregon Space Consortium and the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, and scores of regional educational institutions.
The Museum facility is located at 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, across the highway from the McMinnville Airport and about three miles southeast of the charming town of McMinnville, Ore., on Highway 18. The Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular visitor admission is required. Call 503-434-4180 or visit www.evergreenmuseum.org for more information.
