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| Come Grow With Us! |
The Estrella Warbirds Museum has always been known for its constant change and quality of the displays. If you have not been to the museum in a while, there is no better time then this summer to catch up on the latest aircraft, military vehicle or automotive display that has become part of the museum since the last time you visited.
If you have a little bit of extra time on your hands and are looking for a new hobby or willing to share your knowledge or even learn something new, we are always looking for docents or volunteers in the restoration or maintenance areas. We are all family and would like you to join us! It's fun! There are plenty of new friends to meet and enjoyable times to be had.
Contact us today! We'd love to hear from you.
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September Dinner
Special Guest Speakers
Doris & Walter Stacy
Wednesday, September 2d
No Host Bar starts at 6:00 p.m.,
Dinner starts at 7.p.m.
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Walt and Doris both graduated from high school in June 1941. Doris graduated from Manchester Central and Walt from Dover, located in New Hampshire.
Walt started work with New England Telephone Company in August, 1941, and Doris worked at Marion Electric making meters. On December 7, they were together when they heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been bombed.
When the Navy came out with the V5 Program for Navy Pilots, Walt enlisted on September 28, 1942. He was called to active duty on January 6, 1943 and attended various Navy Schools for pilot training. He received a commission and his wings August 8, 1944. He went to dive bomber training at NAS Deland, Florida in the Douglas SBD Dauntless. He left there assigned to VF2 (F6F) in San Diego via NAS Glenview, Illinois for carrier qualifications.
In spring of 1942, Doris read a notice that a Civil Service exam was to be given for girls wishing to become mechanic learners in the Army Air Corps. She passed the exam and was sent to a school in Springfield, Mass. where she learned the sheet metal trade. From there she was sent to Bradley Field, Conn. In November 1944, she took a leave of absence to join Walt at NAS Glenview in Chicago, Ill. They married in December 1, 1944. Their "Government paid honeymoon" started by traveling all over the country trying to find VF2 at NAS San Diego, then NAS Seattle, and finally NAS Pasco, Washington. Then the whole Air Group was transferred back to NAS San Diego.
For more information about Walter and Doris and for pictures from previous dinner
click here
Dinner is catered and open to the public ($17/person),
reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either
On-line HERE or call 805 296-1935.
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In case you've haven't noticed...we've grown!
From a simple beginning of a single building and two airplanes, one would never have guessed that we would run out of space on our existing 13 acres of land, but we have. With the fantastic support of the Paso Robles and surrounding communities and the wonderful people that live here, the Estrella Warbird Museum has exceeded all exceptions! The exceptional volunteers that have graced our museum for the past twenty five years have helped us to continue to grow, even in lean times. Today, we are in negations with the city for possibly more acerage upon which to expand. None of this could have happened without your unending support as we continue to not expect any funds from the government, nor tax monies, but the everlasting dedication of private benefactors over the years. We thank you for that continued support and look forward to working with and for you during the next twenty five years!
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Red Ball Express Motor Pool Comes to Life!
Part of our recent expansion includes the Red Ball Express Motor Pool, a unique collection of intricately and exceptionally restored WWII vehicles collected by Herman Pfauter, a collector and restorer of these vehicles since his teenage years.
During the next month, this exceptional collection will be relocated from Santa Barbara to the Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles.
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| Herman Pfauter Red Ball Express Building |
Mr. Pfauter donated the funds to construct a 5,000 sf facility in which to house the collection. You can get a glimpse of the vehicles to see what has arrived and is to come by clicking on the picture of the building to the left. As each vehicle arrives, a full page and data specs will be made available on the website.
A very special thank you to Herman Pfauter for providing the wonderful collection!
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Another Day in the Life of an Expanding Museum
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| Volunteers Tom, Mike, and Alex assemble the panels in Freedom Hall |
Great changes are happening in the Museum, as displays are being organized and updated exhibits are underway! In an effort to best communicate our mission for optimal viewer engagement, custom display panels have arrived in Freedom Hall that will share our history and context for the collection. Curator, Jill Thayer, is currently designing signage or "storyboards" that will be installed in the next month. Signage is being developed for exhibition cases and displays that will showcase artifacts clearly for our visitors.
Thanks to all the volunteers who have assisted in moving cases, hanging items large and small, dressing mannequins, and documenting our collection as we continue to grow. Stay tuned!
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| The Museum display panels will include signage or "storyboards" in progress that feature EWM history and background of the collection. |
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Meet Jeanne Thiebaud, Volunteer Extraordinaire
Jeanne is our newest member of the Board of Directors for Estrella Warbird Museum. She is no stranger to the museum, nor to any of the volunteers that call this home.
Jeanne has been one of the friendly faces you have seen working either as a docent or in the gift shop over the past many years. Last May, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors. She has also assumed the role as Volunteer Director, coordinating, recruiting and training the many volunteers who so generously spend their time helping out at the museum. Back in 1956, Jeanne became part of the first co-ed class at Cal Poly where she earned her English Major degree. We're glad she is part of the team. Stop by and visit her some time. Learn more about her by clicking on her picture.
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