— by Margie Doyle —
Trudy Irwin, machinist’s mate at Glenview Naval Air station, private pilot, and island potter
Roy Franklin, with the early aviators’ signature leather jacket and helmet and silk scarf
On Saturday, May 14, the Orcas Island Historical Museum opened its latest exhibit, “Wings Over Orcas Island-An Aviation History,” at the Pioneer Museum on North Beach Road.
Aviation pioneers such as Bob Schoen, Roy Franklin, and Dr. Malcolm Heath; military aviators like Harry Patton and Trudy Erwin; Rod Magner’s Magic Bi-plane, Mercy Pilots Beverly Franklet, Bob Waunch and Gil Blinn; and NASA astronaut Bill Anders feature prominently in this exhibit, which will be open until October.
Also spotlighted are the Naval Air Rescue and Coast Guard rescue flights. The paintings of aviator Frank Loudin line the entry corridor of the Museum.
Complementing the new exhibit will be Historical Matinees on June 12, August 21, and Sept 18, which will feature elements of aviation history on Orcas Island. Matinees are held on Sundays at 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall.
Bob Schoen, who served in the Phillipines in WWII and ran Island Sky Ferries with Roy Franklin
The Pioneer Museum is located at 181 North Beach Road, Eastsound
Summer Hours: May 14-Sept 30
Wed-Sat: 11am-4pm • Sun 11-3pm
The Crow Valley “School” Museum opens May 27 will be open Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.
For more information about exhibits, the gift shop, genealogical research and upcoming events, go to https://www.orcasmuseums.org/home.html
