Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was once the gold standard for all living Vintage Aviation Museums. In fact it was the first of this kind. Many have followed in its path. For Cole Palen, the founder, it was at first merely a hobby. Soon after, it became his life's work.

Upon Cole's death in 1993, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome became Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum and placed in the care of a board of trustees. Also created was Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Air Shows, a not-for-profit organization and had its own board of trustees.

In 2003 significant turns of events occurred at Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum and Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Air Shows. Because of these, a small group of museum members tried to discover the reasons and assist in helping the museum recover. The non-transparent attitude of the Museum's trustees finally forced these members to petition the NY State's Board of Regents to remove them and select replacements. The following content is presented to assist all people interested in contributing to the financial backing of this petition, with all the information that has been collected and sent to the Board of Regents.

To those who have been concerned about the management of the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum over the past several years.

 A petition has been filed with the New York State Board of Regents calling for the removal and replacement of the Board of Trustees of the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum, under Regents Rule 3.31 regarding the removal of trustees of a museum chartered by the Education Department of New York State.  Under the criteria set forth in Rule 3.31, the petition alleges more than forty instances of Misconduct, Neglect of Duty, and Failure or Refusal to Carry Out the Mission of the Museum.  

 The Petitioners are:

Carle Kopecky; a former trustee of Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum
Charles Day; a former trustee of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Airshows
Gwen Ackley
Parker Ackley
Joellyn Kopecky
Martha Esch
Michael O'Neal
Sandy Rhodes
Steve Sweeney

Following the process laid down in Rule 3.31, the trustees have answered the allegations, the petitioners replied to counter-allegations made in the answer, and each side has submitted a Memorandum of Law to the Regents' Office of Counsel.

The process will continue with the Office of Counsel making a recommendation to the Board of Regents as to whether a hearing should be conducted on the matter.

Because there are certain legal expenses which have been, and we anticipate will continue to be incurred, the time has come to seek the support of the aviation history community at large.  We have no way of predicting how long the hearing process will take or what it will ultimately cost in order to see this initiative through to a conclusion.

To make a contribution or to request additional information use the
Contact Information link.

 Contact Information

Financial statements will be issued upon request, to those who contribute and provide an e-mail or postal address.  

Progress reports on the status of the petition will also be posted as appropriate.

NOTE: This is NOT a tax-deductible contribution.