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Airport board recommends relocating the Derryberry aircraft from terminal to Heritage Square exhibit
Summary
The board voted to recommend relocating the Derryberry aircraft from the airport terminal to the Grace Museum portion of Abilene Heritage Square, citing greater exposure and curated exhibit context; the motion included a caveat to seek a replacement display for the terminal.
The Airport Development Board recommended that the Derryberry aircraft be moved from its current hanging location in the terminal to a permanent exhibit at the Grace Museum portion of Abilene Heritage Square.
Board members said the aircraft — built locally and donated to Abilene — would receive more consistent visitor exposure in Heritage Square’s planned aviation/history exhibit. David Bradshaw, a member of the facilities and planning subcommittee, noted the plane was originally hung in the terminal in 2011 and said the new exhibit has higher expected dwell time and opportunities for school groups and museum visitors.
Board members emphasized the need to carefully dismantle, transport and display the aircraft to preserve it. The motion recommended relocation to Heritage Square with a caveat that staff continue exploring a suitable replacement or display for the terminal; the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will coordinate logistics for removal and transfer and will look for a replacement exhibit for the terminal during the multi-year terminal build cycle.
