Photo by Amy Gesch A crowd gathered Monday for the dedication ceremony of the new Founder's Wing within the EAA AirVenture Museum.

July 27, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin - With EAA President and Chairman Tom Poberezny calling it a "very, very special dedication with lasting meaning for the organization," the newest area of the EAA AirVenture Museum was dedicated late this morning.

The Founders' Wing was designed to preserve EAA's history and culture, showcasing Paul and Audrey Poberezny's personal collection of letters, pictures, artifacts, media clippings, and more.

The lower level of the Founders' Wing will be used for museum events, while the mezzanine level features a recreation of EAA's first office, a library with discussion area, and an archival area.

"It's a complex that will forever preserve the legacy and culture of EAA," Poberezny said. "The Paul and Audrey Poberezny Library presents and preserves artifacts that tell a story you can't explain with words."

Several of the organization's charter members were also in attendance, including donors Fred Telling and Russ MacFarlane, and were recognized during the dedication ceremony, which included Paul and Audrey Poberezny officially cutting a ribbon.

Founder Paul Poberezny thanked the group gathered for the dedication ceremony for being part of the EAA family. "I didn't realize then that all the stuff we saved and collected would mean so much."

Audrey added, "I am pleased you could all be here to enjoy this with us. It has been a wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do."

Telling, also an EAA board member, said he was glad to see the area completed. "I think the saddest thing, in my mind, is if we hadn't done this before Paul and Audrey weren't here to see it."