Rhinebeck Museum trouble

Ten years since I have been to Rhinebeck. Sad to hear of the current problems. Count me as one of the concerned, especially that the older crowd is not in the leadership. I would be interested in being a member if the place is in hands of the old guard.
Ken Carpenter

[joegertler]

After reading all the stories in this thread, I was a little surprised to see this long article about Rhinebeck problems /Daly alerts police/Old Rhinebeck (former?) volunteer arrested Dec 31 and due in court soon. being a major story among the space collectors website. It is a very active International Forum. Don't know who is right or wrong here. but I can certainly believe items were given to Palen (and possibly whoever made the trip with him) and there is no wrongdoing here. I really don't know. But this sort of thing has happened many times over the years.You can read and decide what you believe. Story is at:
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-010604a.html
Things are getting ugly...

It would be interesting to see if there was ever a theft reported of the parachutes by either NASM or ORA. I doubt it, as the parachutes were given to Cole with no strings attached, and legitimately passed on to Rick Vogt and then to Chris. There is no story here, no wrongdoing on Chris's part (would he have advertised the chute as having come from NASM if he thought that was a problem?), only an opportunity seized by tom "homeland security" daly and his buddies to try to smear mud on somebody else and divert attention from their own transgressions.

And I doubt there will be much press coverage when it is found that Chris did nothing wrong.

[joegertler]

I hope Chris is cleared quickly, with a minimum of expense and stress. I would ask that any friends of Chris, please relay my offer to help. If he or his attorney would contact me, I'd be happy to offer specific facts involving 34 years of professionally dealing with museums (including the museums mentioned in this case and ORA) where rare artifacts are commonly exchanged and traded and sold, and given away, without any paperwork or documentation. (Even though the article implies that NASM Does have deaccession paperwork-so why and alert?)And if Chris has had this in his possession for 20 years, then I don't see how it could ever have been inventoried or listed as an asset or donation, or acquisition of the ORA museum.

[Curtiss Jenny]

The CollectSpace.com article linked above says that there are two parachutes that were given to Cole. As of volunteer weekend at the end of 2002, the Apollo Space parachute that Cole kept is upstairs in the loft of the museum building. The other parachute Cole gave to Rick Voight in 1982, who in turn gave it to Chris Rogine.

The parachute in the Museum building is the second parachute given by NASM to Cole in 1982, while he still privately owned the Aerodrome. There would not be any paperwork showing transfer from the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum for the first parachute, as the Museum did not come into existence until 1993. There was also the fire that completely destroyed Cole and Rita’s house in the mid-80’s. There were many rare aviation artifacts and records stored in the house that were lost in that fire. Others remember Chris receiving one of the NASM parachutes from Rick Vogt. If the other space parachute is missing, then Mr. Daly will just have to find another suspect.

Chris has worked hard on the airfield for many years at the Aerodrome. He attended work parties and did aircraft restoration work that included the Curtiss Jenny wing. He also built a Goose-Ornithopter, which you have had to see as it defies description here. He donated beautiful silver jewelry that he made to Aerodrome fundraisers, and his jewelry was sold in the Gift Shop. His name appears often in the Thank-you list of Rotary Ramblings. To subject this man to false arrest and slander his reputation is a crime in itself.

I was just wondering, if there is a list of the Aerodrome's current collection, where could that be found? Has this been around since Cole's passing, or has this just materialized recently?

[joegertler]

I believe that any organization wishing to qualify for and remain a New York State Educational, non-profit charter must have a complete inventory of all exhibits and assets (as well as liabilities and other basic accounting reports-such as annual number of visitors/income from admissions, donations, etc etc)listed in the application and subsequent annual reports to New York State. Also for the IRS non-profit status.

Perhaps mr. daly should persue and have arrested people or persons who have actual items that belong to the Aerodrome collection. Jenny ailerons, anyone?? Clipwing Cub?

[rc-notyme]

Good post Paul. How about adding a Nuieport (I don't think I spelled it correctly) to that list?
Who the hell is tom daly and what makes him qualified to be Director? Seriously.......

And so it begins.... This Chris thing STINKS !!! I am sure that no-one is going to be intimated.

Hi Brian,
This "thing " that you were hoping would get figured out HAS been figured out. Stay tuned because the remedy is being administered.
You and gene still best buds ?
Remember Bob Green ?
Our positions have been made pretty clear - what is your's?

I think Brians position was made clear when he left the aerodrome.