Assembly Resolution No. 386
BY: M. of A. Friend
COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the National
Soaring Museum on October 5, 2019
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Soaring Museum to be
celebrated with a Gala on Saturday, October 5, 2019, in Elmira, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The journey leading to the establishment of the National
Soaring Museum (NSM) was interesting, challenging, and rewarding, as has
been its progress over the five decades since its founding; the NSM and
those in the American soaring community are indebted to the visionaries
who, through their hard work, dedication and support, have allowed it to
become the fine institution it is today; and
WHEREAS, Serious thought about a museum dedicated to the history of
soaring in America began to percolate after World War II; in 1952,
Sherman Voorhees, an Elmira resident and one of the SSA's founders,
proposed a soaring museum be established at Harris Hill due to the
important role the Elmira area had played in the growth of the American
soaring movement; and
WHEREAS, In 1958, the local soaring club, the Elmira Area Soaring
Corporation (EASC), elected to take advantage of space offered in
Elmira's Strathmont Estate which was being converted into a local
history museum; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its president, Howard Burr,
EASC members created a soaring history exhibit in the estate's carriage
house which opened in the summer of 1959; the collection included the
historic, restored Arnot-Chanute-Herring glider and the Fred Loomis
photographs of early national soaring contests held at Harris Hill; and
WHEREAS, After being open for only a short time, the history museum
was forced to close; the next major evolutionary step toward a national
soaring museum occurred in 1968, when the EASC, which had been renamed
the Harris Hill Soaring Corp (HHSC), took advantage of space offered by
Chemung County in Harris Hill's Administration Building; and
WHEREAS, Once again, HHSC volunteers rose to the challenge, creating
the exhibits and overseeing museum operations; concurrent with these
activities, HHSC leaders drafted a proposal to the SSA's Board for the
creation of the National Soaring Museum; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Paul A. Schweizer presented the HHSC's
proposal to the SSA Board at its summer meeting in 1969; the proposal to
locate the National Soaring Museum, library, and archives at Harris Hill
had the strong support of New York State, Chemung County, and other
local organizations; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of SSA president, Bernald S.
Smith, a resolution accepting the proposal was unanimously agreed to by
the SSA Board on July 4, 1969, and the National Soaring Museum
officially opened its doors to the public on July 22, 1969; and
WHEREAS, Today, the National Soaring Museum owns more than 100
sailplanes and gliders, 32 of which are currently displayed; it also
houses the Soaring Hall of Fame and the SSA's collection of historic
films and photos documenting early national contests; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the National Soaring Museum holds archives of
the SSA containing a treasure trove of information relating to the
history of soaring in America, the personalities responsible for making
it the outstanding sport it is, and thousands of artifacts related to
soaring contributed by many individuals; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Soaring Museum on
October 5, 2019; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the National Soaring Museum, Elmira, New York.
