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Fueled by a shared vision to create a living aviation museum and a desire to inspire and educate others, Captain Michael King Smith and his father Delford M. Smith founded the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in 1991 in McMinnville, OR. Not only did Captain Smith serve in the United States Air Force and the Oregon National Air Guard, he was also the president of Evergreen Ventures, Inc. and founded Evergreen-Doe Humane Society and Quality Aviation Services. When Captain Smith lost his life in an auto accident in 1995, his father continued on their path of aviation education with the addition of The Captain Michael King Smith Educational Institute. Today, the Institute offers programs such as summer camps, educational tours and book clubs, as well as scholarships and school visits.
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Evergreen Wings & Waves |
Titan II launch room |
Before his death, Captain Smith spearheaded the acquisition of a major exhibition for Evergreen — the Hughes H-4 Flying Boat (or "Spruce Goose") from the Disney Corporation's collection. His winning proposal secured Evergreen as the aircraft's new home in 1993. For nearly twenty years and counting, the Spruce Goose — which is the world's largest wooden airplane — has been a centerpiece of the museum's collection. In more than 150 exhibitions, other aircraft of note include the Titan II SLV launch vehicle (with simulated launch from a replica mission control room), North American P-51D Mustang and Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighter planes, Supermarine Spitfire Mark XVI and Lockheed SR-71A reconnaissance aircraft.
Today, the Smiths' idea has grown beyond a museum and educational center, with the addition of a theater with a giant projection screen, Evergreen Wings & Waves waterpark (with a real Boeing 747 situated on the top of the building), gift stores, farm stores with gourmet treats and wine tasting from Evergreen Vineyards, cafés and the Captain Michael King Smith Firearms Collection.
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The "Spruce Goose," the world's largest wooden airplane |
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