Cradle of Aviation & Armor Museum unveil renderings of future property enhancements
As part of her efforts to ensure Nassau’s museums and cultural institutions rebound and thrive following the devastating impact of the pandemic, County Executive Laura Curran was joined by representatives from the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Armor Museum and Nassau County Firefighters Museum to announce a new funding commitment from the county. Nassau County is committing to matching funds raised by their 14 museum partners—dollar for dollar—to undertake capital improvements, many of which have been delayed due to the pandemic.
This program will encourage each property to pursue physical enhancements creating jobs in the process. This funding opportunity is in addition to the county’s ongoing, contractual financial support of these institutions.
“Our museums are invaluable assets, serving as incredible educational resources while attracting visitors from across the region, stimulating our local economy,” Curran said. “With this commitment, we hope to fast-track shovel ready projects—generating jobs while preserving the institutions that pay tribute to first responders, our military and showcase Long Island’s history.”
Armor Museum Senior Trustee Michael Sapraicone added, “We are deeply appreciative of County Executive Curran recognizing the role that all museums play in adding considerable strength to the economy as well as our shared educational and cultural experiences. With some of our armor vehicles 75 years old, this matching grant could not have arrived at a more opportune time. With significant financial pledges already in place we have the means to break ground by the end of the year and move quickly on needed maintenance of armor that represent courage, valor, and sacrifice on behalf of our freedoms.”
Armor Museum founder and president, Lawrence Kadish, stated, “There are some 50 armor vehicles in the museum’s collection and each one of them requires varying amounts of maintenance and repair at any given time. The ability to build a free-standing structure that will allow us to perform that work is essential to our long-term commitment to operate these historic vehicles for today’s visitors and tomorrow’s generation.”
“We’re very excited about the support the County is offering to the Cradle. We hope our new projects will add some excitement and encourage visitors to all of Museum Row,” added Andrew Parton, President of the Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center.
In many situations, the county’s nonprofit museum partners raise funds or receive grants for infrastructure improvements or to expand exhibits and the overall experience.
This program will encourage each property to advance existing projects or pursue new ones.
Eligible museum properties include: Bailey Arboretum; The Friends of Cedarmere; Elderfields Preserve; Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center/Walwyn Preserve; Long Island Children’s Museum; NC Firefighters Museum; Sands Point Preserve; Science Museum of LI; The Center for Science Teaching and Learning; The Wantagh Museum; Old Bethpage Village Restoration; Armor Museum; Cradle of Aviation; and Nassau County Museum of Art/William Cullen Bryant Preserve.
—Submitted by the office of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran
