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"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."

  ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Dear Supporter,

The history of aviation, the history of Long Island and the history of the United States became intimately entwined with the dawn of flight. From the early days of kites and ballooning to the race to the moon, Long Island has played a very important role in the development and growth of aviation and aerospace.

We would like you to join us in our efforts to preserve our rich heritage by becoming a member, volunteer, donor or partner of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. With your help we will be able to inspire future generations to look to the sky and reach for the stars.

The Cradle depends on the generosity of foundations, corporations and so many dedicated individuals to maintain and expand its enriching public programs and activities. In this section of the website you will find an overview of the many ways in which you can participate in and support the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Sincerely,

Andrew Parton
President

About the Cradle of Aviation
The Cradle of Aviation Museum is an aviation and spaceflight museum located in East Garden City, New York on Long Island to commemorate Long Island's part in the history of aviation. It is located on land once part of Mitchel Air Force Base which, together with nearby Roosevelt Field and other airfields on the Hempstead Plains, was the site of many historic flights. In fact, so many seminal flights occurred in the area, that by the mid-1920s the cluster of airfields was already dubbed the "Cradle of Aviation", the origin of the museum's name. The museum originally opened with just a handful of aircraft in the un-restored hangars in 1980. A major renovation and expansion program in the late 1990s allowed the museum to re-open in a state-of-the-art facility in 2002. Additional expansion plans are currently under development.

Mission
The Cradle of Aviation Museum is an educational center preserving Long Island’s contribution to aerospace, science and technology by inspiring future generations through learning.

Vision
The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s vision is to become the leading center of aerospace and technology education through the preservation of museum artifacts, expanding educational opportunities towards the development of an innovative workforce for the region.