Preserving Piper

The museum, which is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, was founded in 1986 and inhabits the historic Piper Aircraft engineering building at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport. Its focus is on preserving and celebrating the legacy of Piper Aircraft and emphasizing Lock Haven’s important role in aviation history.

The building’s current footprint covers 30,000 square feet, showcasing educational exhibits; archives; and an aircraft display ranging from Piper Cubs and a PA–15 Vagabond, to a PA–30 Twin Comanche—and its most recent acquisition, the prototype of the Piper Jet.

Because the museum is currently at full capacity, the expansion is necessary to accommodate an ever-growing aircraft collection and exhibits. The new space is planned to hold up to 14 additional aircraft and new interactive and educational exhibits.

The museum attracts thousands of visitors annually, and numbers are at a record level. The addition is meant to increase tourism in the area and to appeal to K-12 students, educators, and employers, as well as to create additional space for community events.

“The expansion represents far more than added exhibit space. It strengthens our role as an educational hub, community resource, and regional economic driver. This is a transformative opportunity to preserve aviation history, inspire future generations, and position the Piper Aviation Museum for decades of sustainable growth,” said Ron Dremel, the museum’s president.

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pipermuseum.com