Biographical Notes reCharles A. (Chuck) StonePage 4 of 5 Pages, of Chapter 13,THE LINDBERGH LEGACY |
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| During my tenure at the Historic Site, the main entrance lobby area space proved to be a remarkably flexible tool to deal with unique hospitality challenges. In the early years, it was the opening gallery setting for art shows. We hosted uncounted catered dinners in that space. Our guests for these, on different occasions, included members of the Lindbergh Family, the Lindbergh Fund Board of Directors, busloads of senior citizens who would come by appointment in the winter months for an extended visit from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Historic Home was thoroughly renovated in the early 1980s, resulting in a slight change of emphasis in our manner of interpreting the Lindbergh History. During this same period, the MHS Commandant’s House at Fort Snelling was destroyed by a fire set by an arsonist. With MHS support, we quickly created a 24-hour security patrol to protect the Lindbergh Historic Home. As part of this effort, we installed the first monitored security alarm system in both the house and center. As the years went by, our relationship with the work of the Lindbergh Fund became increasingly close. They began to plan special educational gatherings in Little Falls to facilitate their sharing the stories of their grant awardees who were identified at their annual banquets. Numerous individuals, who had demonstrated creativity and progress in finding a meaningful balance between technology and the environment were awarded cash gifts amounting to $10,580.00 (The original cost of the Spirit of St. Louis). While these grant amounts were not large gifts, they were symbolic of the quality of the individual’s or a team’s quality of research and work. Often this recognition would lead to an infusion of additional research funds from other sources. The Lindbergh Fund (now Foundation) has continued this growing relationship with the Little Falls community and the Historic Site. As I write this memoir, the Lindbergh Foundation, the Community of Little Falls and the MHS are preparing for a major celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Lindbergh’s landing in Paris, here in Little Falls. The Interpretive Center is currently undergoing renovation and expansion and planning committees are at work to create a major series of events that will play out in the summer of the year 2002. |
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| In 1983 one of our special activities over the summer months was to conduct what we called an “Air Fair” event. This was not an air show, as such, but a gathering of people and machines for a relaxing day together at the airport to show off a variety of types of aircraft, enjoy bus shuttle trips to the Lindbergh Historic Site. We did this once again a few years later with great success.
Back in early 1985, plans were developed through the combined efforts of the Fund and MHS to commemorate the naming of the Minneapolis - Saint Paul International Airport Terminal facility after Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr. |
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manager in front of a replica of one of the early aircraft used by Nothwest Airlines |
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| During the planning phase of this event, I received word that the owner of a variety of movie props was ready to sell a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, previously used in ground shots for shooting the film “The Spirit of St. Louis” starring Jimmy Stewart. I passed this news on to my supervisors and the Lindbergh Fund staff. They soon had identified funds for me to travel to Los Angeles to check out the situation. I flew to LA and soon found the replica perched in between the trusses of Dennis Metosinka’s Antique Auto Display Room. This replica was not structured to actually fly, it just looked like the Spirit of St. Louis. The flying version, used in the film, was already on display in the St. Louis Airport. The price for this ground-bound version was about $10,000, as I recall. The deal was closed and arrangements made to truck it to the Twin Cities. I flew back and Don Padilla was already lining up volunteers in the aircraft repair business to do some restoration work on it, on arrival. This became a display for the main event, hanging in the concourse of the airport terminal. This was another occasion that brought members of the Lindbergh Family and a variety of dignitaries to Minnesota and on to Little Falls for a catered dinner in our lobby and a quick tour of the historic site. The replica has been relocated with the terminal building a few times and more recently received a major restoration job. It can still be seen by the millions of people moving through the Twin Cities International Airport. This is just one of the multitude of wonderful opportunities that came our way through my employment with the Minnesota Historical Society. |
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| In May, 1987, after developing some exhibit materials for the Lindbergh Fund, Nell and I flew to Paris in order to participate in their annual awards presentation event. It was a remarkable experience in every way. Following that, we headed for Edinburgh, Scotland, where we visited for 10 days with Bill and Cathie Fraser. Cathie and Nell had been pen pals since 1937, but had never had a chance to meet. Bill and Cathie toured us through as many parts of Scotland that one could squeeze into a 10 day visit. It was a heartwarming experience.
Bill has since passed on, but we remain in close touch with Cathie. |
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a pass over Le Bourget Airfield at the time of the unveiling of a Lindbergh bronze statue, “The Boy and the Man” on the airfield grounds. May 21, 1987. |
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Le Bourget Mayor, Andre Cadot. |
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End of Page 4 of 5 Pages, Chapter 13 — Go to Page 5 Click below to select a destination Go to Page 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5, this Chapter Chapters 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9 — 10 |
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