Oregon’s largest space facility will compliment the home of the “Spruce Goose” and IMAX 3D Theater

MCMINNVILLE, Ore – Tues., May 20, 2008— The Evergreen Aviation Museum is famous for the world’s largest wooden flying boat, the Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose, and the world’s fastest aircraft ever built, the SR-71 Blackbird, but soon visitors will also enjoy another world class addition on June 6, 2008 - a new space facility. 

Evergreen teamed with Hoffman Construction of Portland, Ore. and began construction of the new Space Museum in late September 2006.  The 120,000 square foot facility will compliment the museum campus and reflect the same design as the home of the famous Spruce Goose. 

The new museum will feature artifacts the facility has already acquired including the Titan II SLV missile, the Titan IV SLV missile, the Willamette Meteorite, the replica Lunar Module, the replica Lunar Rover and the Russian Photon Space Capsule. 

Space Museum during early construction, Summer 2007 (HAI Staff Photo)

The new facility also boasts a 65,000 square foot space gallery that will include dozens of authentic space artifacts, some of which are in the museum’s permanent collection and others that will be loaned to the museum by he Kansas Cosmosphere and National Air & Space Museum.  Major exhibits will include an X-15, a Redstone Rocket, Gemini capsule, Apollo capsule, Saturn Rocket, space food and a collection of space suits.  Historic artifacts, full-scale replicas of spacecraft and interactive exhibits and simulators will all be used to tell the story of spaceflight. The centerpiece of the new facility will be a Titan II SLV missile.  With this new exhibit, guests will be able to participate in a hands-on missile launch experience. The museum also plans to host a series of educational programs and space camps.

In addition to the exhibits, the Space Museum will feature visitor amenities including: An aviation and space themed playground, The Right Stuff Gift Store, The Cosmo Café, The Tasting Station Wine Bar, The Milky Way ice cream shop and the Sweet Space treat stop.

The new Space Museum will also become the home of McMinnville High School’s Engineering and Science Academy (EASA) in September 2008.  The Academy will be home to local students who will spend half day increments in labs and classes in the museum’s new classroom facility.

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is best known as the home of the world’s largest wooden airplane, the” Spruce Goose”, SR-71 “Blackbird”, the Titan II SLV Missile and the Grumman F6F-3 “Hellcat”.  In addition, there are more than 150 historic aircraft, spacecraft and exhibits on display, along with artwork, traveling displays, the Spruce Goose Café and the Rotors, Wings & Things store.  The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, daily except when it is closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Easter. The Museum facility  is located at 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, across the highway from the McMinnville Airport and about three miles southeast of McMinnville, Ore., on Highway 18. Regular visitor admission is required. Call 503-434-4180 for more information, and visit www.evergreenmuseum.org.

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EVENT ADVISORY
Space Museum Opening Ceremony
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2008

WHAT: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is honoring the exploration of space and the opening of the new Space Museum on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 9 a.m.

This once-in-a-lifetime museum launch features a dedication event including Astronauts Gen. Joe Engle, Gen. Tom Stafford and Titan II expert Chuck Rash.

Don’t miss this historic event as the Evergreen Space Museum opens its doors for the first time.

Ticket prices for opening event:  General public $20/person.  Museum Members and Children $10/person.  Media invited to attend at no charge.  RSVPs are required.

WHEN: Friday, June 6, 2008.  Doors open at 8:30 a.m.  Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Evergreen Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, Oregon (about five miles southeast of McMinnville, or approximately one hour southwest of Portland – off Hwy. 18)

CONTACT: RSVP:  503-434-4023 or via email at events@sprucegoose.org  Registration via website is also available at www.evergreenmuseum.org

For more information please contact Nicole Wahlberg, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 503-434-4006 or email nicole.wahlberg@ sprucegoose.org.