THE STORY OF THE CONVERSION OF THE OLD STOCKADE INTO A FIRST CLASS
MUSEUM, THE MEMORIAL STATUE AND THE REFURBISHMENT OF A DECAYING T-33
FOR STATIC DISPLAY BY THE SAMPSON AIR FORCE BASE VETERANS ASSOCIATION.

This is a Brief History of the Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association's Museum, The Memorial Statue and
the T-33 on Static Display. This history includes pictures that tell the story of the effort involved in converting a rundown, decaying stockade into a first class museum depicting the Sampson Air Force Base Era and the story of the development of the Memorial Statue and the refurbishment of a decaying T-33 for static display.

The costs of these efforts are also provided to emphasise to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation personnel the monetary contributions of the Association's members to these projects. With the
exception of a $10,000 grant from the state, thanks to State Senator Mike Nozzolio, the entire costs of these
projects has fallen on the shoulders of Association members.

In addition to the monetary contributions of Association members, thousands of hours of volunteer labor have gone into the efforts. A dollar value has not been attached to these hours due to the difficulty in establishing just how many hours are involved. However, as previously stated, it is in the thousands.

THE BEGINNING

New Jersey Air Force veteran Edward Lincoln singularly collected names and addresses of Sampson Air Force Base veterans for several years. Because poor health restricted his efforts, he forwarded his data to the Sampson
area. Extensive publicity and numerous letters led to 37 veterŽans and guests meeting in Waterloo, NY in September 1990 for the first reunion. Subsequent reŽunions were held and after a series of meetings in 1994, a formal
organization was structured and incorporation papers were filed with the State of New York on September 14, 1994. Charter enrollŽment was closed September 25, 1994 with 156 members, 47 of who were Life Members.

After the reunion in Ithaca representatives of the group met with Sampson State Park Manager Wally Dreher to walk through the former stockade and view the condition of the south and west wings. The following members
consented to provide leadership in renovation of the facility: Lynn Brown, Karl Gantier, and Bruce Lloyd. At an organizational meeting on 24 September 1994 the following busiŽness was addressed: Discussions were held
regarding requesting the State Parks Department for use of the west wing of the former stockade as a museum. The Museum Committee was identified: Lynn Brown, Karl Grantier, Tom Little, Bruce Lloyd, Loren Potts, and Dick Scannel. This was the beginning of the museum project.

From The Dream To The Reality

Museum 2

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Museum 3

Museum 4

Museum 5

Museum 6

Falcon 1

Falcon 2

Falcon 3

Falcon 4

T33 - 1

T33 - 2

T33 - 3

T 33 - 4

T33 - 5

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