$54,000 grant award from the Gilchrist Foundation

The Gilchrist Foundation has awarded a capital campaign grant of $54,000 to the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation to help fund an education and research center upgrade to the Fed Ex Boeing 727 aircraft display.

Plans call for multiple learning stations, a theater style area, library and research center, and age appropriate transportation lessons.  Additional work in weatherproofing the jet way, electric, heating, and cooling upgrades, and renovation to the inside of the plane are part of the education center project.    The project is part of the museum's strategic five-year plan. 

The Gilchrist Foundation furthers the philanthropy of the late Jocelyn Gilchrist and her family foundation; the foundation is in trust at Security National Bank and gives primarily to the arts, environmental protection and conservation, animal/wildlife welfare, and children, youth, and social services.    The project is expected to take $104,000.  Additional fundraising is needed to complete the center.