Stories Across America

After our short 60 mile ride from Depoe Bay to McMinnville (in PNW rain) we spent the vast part of the day at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.

Why do you think Leonardo Da Vinci spent so much time trying to capture what birds had been doing for eons? Like us today, he too wanted to soar into the vastness of space under his own power. It took us until the turn of the 20th Century to finally realize that dream on the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk. When we did finally figure it out, the learning curve was swift and advancements came at record pace. Enter, the Genius of Howard Hughes and the determination of the Smith Family.

The Museum was the dream of Delford Smith and his son Capt. Michael King Smith. Delford spent time in Korea flying medivac missions with the Army’s newest addition…helicopters. When he returned home his aviation “mind set” did not stop. He created Evergreen Aviation which over the years that followed encompassed many types of aviation business enterprises all over the globe.

As his son grew, he too developed a love of aviation and spent time as a Air Force fighter pilot. He and his dad both loved older planes and spent time collecting and restoring them. Also as time went on, Michael wanted to give back to the local community so he worked with colleges around the state to set up educational curriculums for aviation.

Back in the late 90’s when the father and son duo learned that the “Spruce Goose” was slated to be dismantled (it was housed in Long Beach, CA at that time) and sold off for parts, they set out to secure it. After a lengthy purchase and moving process the Howard Hughes “master piece” was brought to McMinnville, OR restored and put on display for all to see.

The aviation building was built specially to house this great piece of aviation history. The remainder of the planes and space memorabilia is a culmination of their love of the topic.

As a sad side note: Capt. Smith was tragically killed in a auto accident prior to the completion of the “Mission” so Delford, in his son’s honor finished the project and dedicated it to his son and the public for all time.

As Scott Carpenter wished “God Speed John Glenn” prior to lift off the Friendship 7 Space Craft, we too want to remember the two generations of men that made it all happen for future generations.