An exhibit opening today at the North Bay Museum will present "Gateway to the Sky: North Bay’s Aviation History."
"North Bay has always been a well-known and important crossroads of the country," says a Museum release. "From canoes to trains to the mighty jets of the RCAF, North Bay has long played a role in the transportation history of Canada."
The history of the airport and aviation in North Bay is presented through a display of photographs, newspaper clippings, model aircraft, and more. This exhibit was created to highlight the unique history of aviation in North Bay and the events and circumstances that led to the construction of the current North Bay Jack Garland Airport.
The North Bay Museum received a grant to hire an exhibit coordinator, Jillian Gear, to work with 22 Wing Heritage Officer Captain Doug Newman to bring the exhibit to life. A large collection of photographs and records from the son of the former airport manager, Lorne Hicks, helped make the display possible.
The North Bay Jack Garland Airport may be smaller than many other city airports, but its geographic location, military connections, and unique facilities have made it an important stop in Canada’s aviation history.
