THE NEW FORT BLISS MUSEUM PROJECT
For information concerning the
New Fort Bliss Museum Project please contact:
Edith
Fanning
Air Defense Artillery Association
P O Box 6101
Fort Bliss, Texas 79906
Phone: (915) 568-2711 Fax: (915) 566-9407
Email:
fanninge@bliss.army.mil
or
MG John B.
Oblinger
Phone: (915) 751-4699
As an update, the planned renovations and programs for 2002 were completed. The newly constructed state of the art, 175 seat auditorium was completed in October and is in use for military classes, seminars and special presentations. The 30,000 square foot, 18 foot ceiling, additional space with a new 16 foot by 16 foot overhead door has been completed with new track lighting and a memorial picture window looking out onto the Fort Bliss National Cemetery. The 120 mm “Stratosphere Gun: is in place, and the move of the Air Defense Gallery into the 30,000 square foot space has begun. The ADA Association Gift Shop manager’s office and storage space has been completed.
In early 2003, the large missiles: Sprint, Nike Hercules, Spartan, Nike Ajax, Hawk and V-2 – which were formerly standing upright as a part of the old Air Defense Artillery Museum in the 5000 area – are now in place in front of the new museum.
Our very successful 2002 Veterans Day Gala in November was attended by over 650 people and netted $43,000 for the New Fort Bliss Museum Building Fund.
The Replica, now called “Old Fort Bliss” remains open for visitors as well as its highlight program – the Children’s Bicultural Living History Program – for El Paso School District fourth graders.
For the fifth year, the Star Spangled Christmas program depicting life at Fort Bliss in 1857 was conducted during the holidays. Despite the increased security measures at Fort Bliss since the horrific events of September 11, the museums continue to have steady visitors, both tourists and planned groups.
The total renovation and exhibit display budget is now 1.9 million dollars including the outside area which already features Nike Ajax, Hercules, Hawk, Patriot, Sherman Tank, S P Vulcan, Skysweeper, Duster and the forerunner of the U. S. Army AAA, the German 88 as well as the aforementioned “stand up” missiles moved from the 5000 area.
Funds are still needed! Fundraising continues. We need to emphasize Memorial Naming Gifts and three to five year pledges; think estate gifts and appreciated securities. Please see the enclosed site floor plan with naming opportunities. Please help also by spreading the word to your associates, both personal and professional. The Air Defense Artillery Association is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization, and all donations are appreciated.
Fantastic progress has been made since 2001. The new Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center is up and running. It is a tribute and already a Fort Bliss showpiece. It gets a little bit better every day. Please pitch in with us so that it can get a lot better even faster.
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Last updated on June 10, 2003. Please send comments or suggestions to the Webmaster.