Community Corner

DVHAA Restructures to Build New Air Museum

With a focus on fundraising for its multi-million dollar aviation museum, the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association changed the structure of the organization recently.

Members of the volunteer-run Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association have their work cut out for them. 

In order to "build the museum we want to have" in Horsham, President John Rehfuss estimated that the group would need to raise between $20 million to $25 million in the next three to four years.

How will DVHAA do that?

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For starters, DVHAA is in the process of establishing a board of trustees with former president Retired Major General Ron Nelson at the helm as chairman.

"General Nelson is well-known around here," Rehfuss said. "(As president) he didn't have enough time to leverage the people he knows, aviation enthusiasts ... It's kind of hard to run (the organization) and fundraise."

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DVHAA reworked its bylaws late last year to reflect the addition of a board of trustees. So far, Nelson said three fellow airplane enthusiasts have agreed to serve on the board and help fundraise.

With nothing more than conceptual plans from several years ago, Nelson said the eventual task is to plan for and build a roughly . The existing museum on Easton Road in Horsham is 4,800 square feet.

"I can't talk to these guys without having a business plan," Nelson said. 

To that end, Nelson said DVHAA will need to work out a business plan first, then seek out industry people to sit on the board. From there, the board can build upon its roughly $100,000 nest egg for the future.

"I'd like to have an indication from Horsham that we've got the land," Nelson said. 

Site for a new museum

The HLRA, the board tasked with overseeing the redevelopment plan, and in the coming years, the implementation of the future mixed-use blueprint for 862 acres of the former Willow Grove air base, has allotted DVHAA 13 acres for a new aviation museum.

That plan is in the hands of the federal government. An environmental impact study is underway and is expected to conclude in March 2014, officials have said.

About that same time, the HLRA will begin negotiations for the purchase of the land, according to HLRA Executive Director Mike McGee. 

"We hope to successfully negotiate an economic development conveyance for the entire parcel," McGee said. "We hope to be able to take possession of all 862 acres and then give to the appropriate entities."

"Give" being the key word for nonprofit groups like DVHAA and Hatboro-Horsham School District, which is awaiting 40 acres for a new middle school.

"We can’t charge anything," McGee said. "They’ll have to pay for their sewer, water and all that good stuff, but they’ll get the land for free."

DVHAA's future fundraising initiatives

Besides establishing a board of trustees to help fundraise for the new building, Rehfuss, who in his full-time job manages voice and data worldwide for Godiva Chocolatier, switched from DVHAA's former executive director to president.

"We came to the realization that we have to run this like a business," Rehfuss said. "It's got to be more professional."

Rehfuss said a new training program is in the works for museum tour guides and additional educational offerings are planned for visitors.

In terms of museum revenue, Rehfuss said the suggested $5 donation per visit is working out well. The museum's gift shop is another revenue generator, he said, adding that he's looking to rework the online shop.

Rehfuss said he is "re-looking at everything" to find the best approaches to generate the most income.

"We do have enough financial money and backing to keep us paying our bills," Rehfuss said. "People that are here are committed to doing this."


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