Gulotta Signs Historic Agreement

Nassau Cradle of Aviation Museum Becomes Reality

Believing it will boost Nassau County's economy while serving as an outstanding educational and cultural facility, Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta signed a resolution this week that will authorize Nassau Heritage, a not-for-profit organization, to proceed with final preparations for the grand opening and operation of the Cradle of Aviation Museum on behalf of Nassau County.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta signs the resolution that authorizes Nassau Heritage, a not-for-profit organization, to operate the Nassau Cradle of Aviation on behalf of Nassau County. Flanked by those who helped make and preserve aviation history and volunteers who made the Nassau Cradle of Aviation a reality, Gulotta is pictured with (left to right) Dr. Sean Fanelli, president, Nassau Heritage; Bill Wheeler, decorated member, Tuskegee Airmen; Peter Donnelly of Garden City, recent Air Force Academy graduate who began to volunteer at the museum at age 12; John Mace, volunteer and veteran of the World War II Normandy Invasion; Emil (Ace) Feroldi, who has contributed over 5,000 volunteer hours; Angelo Catalano, president, Nassau County Firefighters Museum; Edward Smits, Nassau County historian and Nassau Heritage trustee; and Gerald Kessler, president, Friends for Long Island's Heritage.

"Tourism is the number one revenue producing industry on Long Island with Nassau County leading the way with the number of employees involved in the tourism industry," Gulotta said. "The Cradle of Aviation will be a major tourist attraction...This facility will accent the fact that aviation history and space exploration is a cherished part of our heritage."

Considered the cornerstone of Nassau's Museum Row at Mitchel Field, the 120,000-square-foot facility includes two restored hangars, a visitors center, a world class IMAX dome theater and a restaurant. Nassau County provided capital funding for construction of the facility while Nassau Heritage oversaw the technical and historic construction.

Friends for Long Island's Heritage has raised more than $8 million in private donations and has received more than $30 million in aircraft donations to make the museum a reality.

Hundreds of volunteers devoted more than 600,000 hours during the construction period, often spending time with the meticulous reconstruction of vintage pre-World War II aircraft and other historic items like Grumman's Lunar Module.

In signing the resolution, Gulotta said, "Today, the final steps are being taken to open the Cradle of Aviation Museum and to make this dream a reality. I thank the hundreds of volunteers and contributors who contributed so much of their time and resources to make the Nassau County Cradle of Aviation possible.

"This facility, when fully functional and operational, will support itself and meet its goals of continued development and educational enrichment rivaling the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum."

-Carisa Keane