Massachusetts Air & Space Museum
By Vik Kachoria | October 16, 2008
Just got a call from Albert Mundo introducing his new organization Massachusetts Air & Space Museum (MASM). Since late 2006 they have been working on a concept to establish a museum at Hansom Airport to celebrate the rich heritage of aerospace in Massachusetts.
In the very short period since their first meeting, they have brought together a number of aviation and historical groups to work on the concept, formed a 501c3, built a board of directors and advisors, secured a site at the airport for the museum, obtained a grant from Wolf Family Aviation Foundation AND secured one of the F-15s that the Massachusetts Air National Guard launched on 9/11.
Albert Mundo is director & president of MASM following a 30 year career as a TWA commercial pilot. Earlier in his career he served as a fighter pilot for the US Air Force & MA National Guard. MASM board includes members with experience in or at Raytheon, General Electric MassPort, FAA and the Ninety-Nines.
From their website:
“Significant aviation oriented museums exist in many states but sadly, Massachusetts with its long and rich aeronautical history is lacking in this regard.”
“…when considering the achievements and contributions to aviation and space brought about by individuals and institutions in this state, and which indeed are continuing, then an effort to establish such an entity is certainly a worthwhile endeavor.”
“The museum should not be just a collection of relics but rather a living institution where people learn of the past as a foundation of the present, and from there are able look into the future.”
The website highlights a number of important aerospace contributions from Massachusetts including:
- Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926 in Auburn, Mass
- MIT has produced more astronauts than any other university – 30 so far with 15,000 hours in space
- Four of the 12 astronauts who walked on the moon came from MIT
- Draper Labs, Avco, Raytheon and David Clark Company all contributed to the Apollo program
- Since the end of the 19th century, Massachusetts has been involved in the develoment of gliders, balloons & aircraft
- Check out the full list of Massachusetts Aerospace firsts at: Mass Aerospace Firsts
I’ll be meeting with Albert Mundo in the next couple of weeks and look forward to working with MASM to raise the profile of aerospace activities and contributions in Massachusetts.
Check out their website at: http://www.massairspace.org/
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