First announced this past
February, the Intrepid project has
captured the imagination of families, educators, historians and aviation
enthusiasts across North America. Renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns
and adventure balloonist and Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson have both
praised the historic reconstruction.
"Supporting education is an
important aspect of our community giving, made even more relevant in this case
since Macy’s was founded during the Civil War era,” said Russell Schutte,
senior vice president / director of stores, Macy’s Midwest. “With our unique connection
to helium ballooning, we had the opportunity to help Genesee Country Village
& Museum fulfill its dream to open this one-of-a-kind, interactive exhibit.
The result will benefit not only the people of Western New York, but visitors
who will travel from across the U.S. and overseas to experience the wonder and
history of flight.”
Featuring its signature giant
helium character balloons, the 86th
Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 22.
One side of the deflated Intrepid is hand-painted
by illustrator Todd Price in May 2012. |
Like the original seven gas
balloons used by the Union Army during the Civil War, the Intrepid is tethered to land for optimal convenience and safety. Visitors
– up to four at a time – will have the opportunity to take 15-minute flights
for a nominal cost in addition to their museum entry fee.
A team of prominent advisors is
assisting with the project, including Tom D. Crouch, Ph.D., senior curator of
Aeronautics for the Smithsonian
Institution’s National Air and Space Museum; Jim Green, director, Planetary
Science Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and Rob
Shenk, director, Internet Strategy & Development, Civil War Trust.
For more information, visit www.gcv.org or follow the museum on Twitter at @GCVandM.
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"Civil War balloon saved by last minute infusion of helium" by Linda Wheeler on the Washington Post.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/house-divided/post/civil-war-balloon-saved-by-last-minute-infusion-of-helium/2012/06/19/gJQA7qBknV_blog.html