thedrifter
10-31-07, 08:27 AM
Aviation and Military Museum celebrates grand opening Nov. 10
By Robbie Evans
revans@thenewsstar.com
Workers at the Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana in Monroe have been busy this week preparing for the museum's Nov. 10 grand opening.
Although the museum officially opened in 2000, next month's event is being held to commemorate the completion of the museum's $500,000, 7,000-square-foot expansion project, which began earlier this year. The additional exhibit space allows the museum to display memorabilia of those who participated in the six American wars over the last century.
It includes rooms dedicated to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as a 50-seat theater, additional storage space and a kitchenette.
The museum originally had about 3,000 square feet of display space.
Museum Director Patty Hibbard said Tuesday display experts from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office as well as local museum supporters have been working on a weekly basis to have the new displays ready for the celebration.
"We've been rolling up our sleeves and working really hard," Hibbard said. "We're 75 to 80 percent complete."
With the assistance of Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, the museum received just more than $100,000 in custom exhibit cases to display memorabilia. The Louisiana National Guard's 528th Engineering Battalion also assisted the museum in cutting and painting window coverings.
Hibbard said museum officials expect several hundred people at the Nov. 10 grand opening and Veterans Day celebration. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, which is located at 701 Kansas Lane.
Planned activities will include a patriotic program, living history demonstrations and displays of vintage military vehicles.
The event is free to the public.
Ellie
By Robbie Evans
revans@thenewsstar.com
Workers at the Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana in Monroe have been busy this week preparing for the museum's Nov. 10 grand opening.
Although the museum officially opened in 2000, next month's event is being held to commemorate the completion of the museum's $500,000, 7,000-square-foot expansion project, which began earlier this year. The additional exhibit space allows the museum to display memorabilia of those who participated in the six American wars over the last century.
It includes rooms dedicated to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as a 50-seat theater, additional storage space and a kitchenette.
The museum originally had about 3,000 square feet of display space.
Museum Director Patty Hibbard said Tuesday display experts from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office as well as local museum supporters have been working on a weekly basis to have the new displays ready for the celebration.
"We've been rolling up our sleeves and working really hard," Hibbard said. "We're 75 to 80 percent complete."
With the assistance of Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, the museum received just more than $100,000 in custom exhibit cases to display memorabilia. The Louisiana National Guard's 528th Engineering Battalion also assisted the museum in cutting and painting window coverings.
Hibbard said museum officials expect several hundred people at the Nov. 10 grand opening and Veterans Day celebration. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, which is located at 701 Kansas Lane.
Planned activities will include a patriotic program, living history demonstrations and displays of vintage military vehicles.
The event is free to the public.
Ellie