Roaring engines echo over the beautiful Hudson River Valley as the sound transports Tara Grieb and other spectators back to the golden age of aviation.
Vintage biplanes soaring through the sky evoke memories of the Western Front in World War I, yet they appear out of place in the northern New York State landscape.
The fearsome Red Baron seems to engage in aerial combat with Allied fighter planes, creating a spectacle of aerial acrobatics. However, the pilots donning goggles and the aircraft in the sky are actually part of a mobile museum.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome near Red Hook was conceived by the late collector Cole Palen. Tara Grieb, now the director of operations, continues his legacy after he passed away.
“He always believed that if it couldn’t fly, it wasn’t an airplane,” Grieb told The Epoch Times about Palen’s vision, “So the lively and engaging experience of antique aviation is at the core of what we do.”
Established in 1958, this aviation museum has attracted visitors for decades with its fleet of authentic flying replica biplanes and triplanes. Their demonstrations continue to mesmerize audiences.
“Our mission is to educate and entertain the public through air shows and our collection,” Grieb said. “We are seasonal but working towards making our static museum open year-round.”
Spanning over 100 acres, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome includes four museum buildings and an airport for guests to explore.
Among its collection of over 80 aircraft, notable pieces include a highly accurate replica of the Spirit of St. Louis and the American Eagle A-129, both capable of flight. The museum features Pioneer, WWI, and Barnstorming Era series.
The aerodrome hosts antique aviation shows every weekend, with approximately 25 historic aircraft participating in the performances.
Exciting the audience, Palen himself once took to the skies portraying the Black Baron of Rhinebeck, engaging in simulated dogfights with the valiant Sir Percy Goodfellow, vying for the affections of the charming Trudy Truelove.
The museum has a unique history. While Roosevelt Field on Long Island was about to close, Palen used his life savings to purchase six original WWI biplanes.
Over the years, the collection has grown as more aircraft were added through donations and reinvestment of profits. After Palen’s passing, the aerodrome became a nonprofit foundation, expanding its monthly airshow to a schedule of 38 shows every season from June 15 to October 20, held every weekend.
The museum embodies Palen’s belief in the vivid “mobile” experience, offering interactive displays including early flight contraptions.
New activities at the museum include Fly Nights on Wednesdays featuring historic biplanes, live bands, and food trucks. There are also Lighthouse Tours, providing a 30-minute coastal flight on antique aircraft.
The East Coast Doughboys will perform at the aerodrome from July 19 to 21, reenacting ground battles of WWI. Other weekend events include vintage baseball games on the Tarmac and hangar dances.
Many consider the aerodrome a special place.
“Many aviation enthusiasts become friends of the aerodrome and support us, and we are very grateful for them,” Grieb said.
The museum recently acquired a Fokker D6 aircraft through donated funds, a famous model flown by the Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen, as the owner wanted it to continue flying and knew their facility could make that happen.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome welcomes various visitors, including families, school groups, aviation enthusiasts, and Boy Scout troops. Fans of vintage aviation are fascinated by the array of antique planes.
“People love our work, and many first-time guests become repeat visitors!” Grieb added.
For Grieb, working at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a very special endeavor. Growing up in the Red Hook area, she worked at the museum in her teens and twenties. After 25 years in the education field, she returned to her beloved aerodrome.
“It’s a passion project that holds great importance to me on many levels,” Grieb shared about her work at the museum.