Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY USA

Upsetting news from the Colonies 'cross the Pond. For those who follow pioneer and WW I aviation, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome might be a familiar name. Though not as long lived as Old Warden and the Shuttleworth collection, the late Cole Palen began assembling his collection in the late 1950s. As a lad, I spent much of my time there, along with three mates. We were the "Aerodrome gophers" who were often sent to "go-fer" this and "go-fer" that. Cole would let us play with his toys (WW I Renault tank, 1905 Sears Autobuggy, 1916 Willys Overland coupe, etc) and now and then, the pilots would take us aloft in one of the aircraft based there (Tiger Moth, Fleet 16B, Aeronca Champ, Piper J3, Funk Model B, etc.). Thanks to his wedding to Rita (And her business acumen) in 1967, the Aerodrome was put on a firm financial footing and became widely known.
Following Cole's passing in 1993, Rita carried on until her passing in 2002. Operating as a foundation, the Aerodrome has continued to carry on delighting visitors with flying pioneer, WW I, and between the wars aircraft to this day.
Unfortunately, Friday afternoon the Aerodrome's gift shop was destroyed by fire (Likely an electrical fault). In addition to the loss of souvenirs and aircraft related gifts, the stick and tissue models that Cole had built, along with some WW I relics, were lost in the fire.
As a nonprofit foundation, the Aerodrome relies heavily on contributions and as such, they would appreciate any donations for the upkeep and renovations necessary.
The site to donate is: http://oldrhinebeck.org/ORA/donate/
As to Morgan related bits, there is an early MX2 powered Sports 2 seater as well as an Anzani powered Bleriot XI (So far as is known, the second oldest flying machine remaining).

Thanks for the post and the info on Old Rhinebeck, sad though it is. I have great memories from a visit there in 1979. You were certainly lucky, although deserving as a gopher, to have been flown in those vintage planes. Let's hope they pull through this setback.

Good news after the Aerodrome's gift shop fire, this past Monday ground was broken for the new gift shop. While the fundraising has not yet been completed, enough has been raised to begin work.
On a semi-related note, the Spirit of St Louis replica is nearly ready to slip the surly bonds of earth, The ship is completed, the engine has been run-up, next steps are to slowly proceed to flight. This was a dream of Cole Palen's nearly realized.
Things at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome are looking up!

Thanks for the update from the Hudson Valley and the good news that Old Rhinebeck is bouncing back. I've been following things on the web site and it makes me want to go back. It's also a relief to read that the fire, serious though it was, didn't destroy any of the planes. The Bleriot was saved through quick action by a couple of locals. So I will get back. And an old friend has moved to the Hudson Valley not far from Rhinebeck giving added incentive. Where's that bucket list?

An update on Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome news, no Morgan direct connection this time, the Aerodrome's Spirit of St Louis replica (As accurate a replica as one could ask) took to the air for the first time yesterday. In build for twenty years, thanks mainly to Kenwood Cassens, the NYP replica was in the air for about a half an hour and experienced no problems aside from being slightly nose-heavy, an easily solved issue. The Aerodrome crew has earned a well deserved thumbs up (Understand I once owned a Bultaco, thus the "thumbs-up" reference).