named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Biplane Rides
Offers 15-minute and 30-minute vintage biplane flights in a New Standard D-25, including scenic tours along the Hudson River and lighthouse views.
History of Flight Air Show
Flying demonstration held every Saturday from mid-June through mid-October, showcasing vintage aircraft in action with historical narration and period costumes.
Static Display Museum
Seasonal indoor and outdoor exhibits of over 80 restored aircraft, antique automobiles, motorcycles, and aviation memorabilia open from May through October.
WWI Air Show
Weekly Sunday airshow featuring recreated combat flights, stunt flying, and historical reenactments from the World War I era.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Historic Aviation and Transportation Museums 6 activities
- Host weekly air shows featuring historic aircraft and themed performancesHosts a "History of Flight" air show every Saturday and a "WWI Dog Fight Spectacular" every Sunday from mid-June through mid-October, featuring vintage aircraft, period characters, scripted aerial performances, and antique automobiles to educate and entertain the public about aviation history.
- Offer biplane rides and lighthouse tours using vintage aircraftProvides 15-minute and 30-minute passenger flights in a 1929 New Standard D-25 biplane, including Barnstormer flights and lighthouse tours, available on weekdays and during air show weekends through October, offering an authentic early 20th-century flying experience.
- Offer educational programs in aircraft restoration and flight instructionOperates an education program where participants restore historic aircraft such as the Porterfield Collegiate and Taylor J-2 Cub, earn logbook hours, and receive flight instruction incentives, promoting hands-on learning in aviation maintenance and history.
- Operate and fly historically significant aircraft for public demonstrationsFlies and maintains a fleet of 15–20 historic aircraft, including the 1909 Bleriot (oldest regularly flying airplane in the Western Hemisphere), a Fokker DR-I Triplane, and a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, for regular flight demonstrations during air shows and public events.
- Preserve and restore historic aircraft, vehicles, and aviation memorabiliaMaintains and restores a collection of over 80 vintage aircraft, antique automobiles, motorcycles, engines, and related memorabilia from the Pioneer, World War I, and Golden Age of Aviation eras for public education and historical preservation.
- Provide public access to aviation history collections through on-site and online exhibitsDisplays historic aircraft, vehicles, and memorabilia in multiple themed buildings (Pioneer, WWI, Golden Age, and History of Flight) and offers online access to its collections for remote visitors, supporting public education and engagement with aviation history.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Conduct facility renovations while preserving historic site characterUndertakes phased renovation of museum facilities by removing or replacing dilapidated structures and reusing historic materials to maintain the site’s historical integrity and support long-term operations.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Host special events in compliance with local regulationsOrganizes special events with adherence to local regulations concerning food service, operating hours, and noise control to ensure community safety and regulatory compliance.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Maintain volunteer and donation programs to support museum operationsRuns volunteer programs across the gift shop, office, museum, and outreach activities, including a dedicated automotive volunteer group, and accepts item donations for use in exhibitions, education, or operational support.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Operate museum admission and on-site services for public visitorsProvides tiered admission pricing for adults, seniors, military, and youth, operates an on-site concessionaire on weekends, and offers free Selfie Bingo and museum tours as part of the visitor experience during air show season.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.94M
Contributions & grants$1.33M69%
Program service revenue$453K23%
Investment income$25K1%
Other revenue$126K
expenses
Total expenses$1.35M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead27%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$449K
Grants paid out$2K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.31M
Cash$1.06M
Investments$133K
Liabilities$223K
Net assets$7.09M
Liquid reserves10.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -4.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN COUGHLIN DECD 102024 | Former Trustee | 1 | $6K |
| MIKE DIGIACOMIO | Trustee | 1 | $2K |
| CLAYTON HAMMOND | President | 7 | $90 |
| DAVID TROST | Vice President | 7 | $50 |
board members · 6
- BOB LIPPMAN — Trustee
- HEATHER HOWLEY — Trustee
- KNICK STALEY — Trustee
- MICHAEL FISHER — Secretary
- PAMELA HANSEN — Trustee
- WARREN BATSON — Former Trustee
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Air Show and Events Manager Partner — Staff member coordinating volunteer engagement for air shows and events.
- Charles Lindbergh Partner — Highlights the legacy of Charles Lindbergh ("Lucky Lindy") and his transatlantic flight in its Golden Age exhibit.
- DESTINATION DUTCHESS Partner — Collaborates to promote regional tourism by directing visitors to local attractions, lodging, and dining options.
- Generous donors Partner — Provided a flying Porterfield Collegiate, an Aeronca Defender, and supplies for restoration projects.
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Network — Founded by Cole Palen in 1958; the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum continues its legacy as a nonprofit entity.
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Network — Refers to itself as America’s first flying museum of antique aircraft, indicating identity as a specialized aviation heritage institution.
- Red Hook Planning Board Government — Engages with the Red Hook Planning Board to present and seek approval for elements of the Master Plan, including environmental and land use considerations.
- TicketSpice Partner — Online ticketing partner for air show admissions.
- WWI Aero Publications Partner — Partner organization linked from the museum's website, likely collaborating on historical aviation publications.
- Wright Brothers Partner — Features aircraft and history related to the Wright Brothers in its Pioneer Building exhibit.
- Wright Brothers Partner — Historical reference to the inventors of the original 1902 glider, whose work the museum preserves and interprets.
- Wufoo Partner — Used as the form platform for biplane ride and lighthouse tour certificate purchases.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Integrated Aviation Educationmethodology: community-driven_volunteer_trainingBy training volunteers and engaging interns in hands-on restoration, operations, and outreach, the museum fosters community ownership and deepens educational impact, because inclusive participation across skill levels strengthens both workforce capacity and public connection to aviation heritage.
- Experiential Learning Through Functional Preservationmethodology: experiential_learningBy actively flying and maintaining vintage aircraft rather than displaying them statically, the museum creates a dynamic, immersive experience that teaches aviation history through direct engagement, because seeing and experiencing aircraft in operation deepens public understanding of technological evolution and historical context.