Volunteers at the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum are being recognized this National Volunteer Month for their role in preserving and sharing aviation history with visitors.
Chief Docent Tom Doerr, of Warminster, recalled a memorable moment early in his time at the museum when a visitor recognized items from his own military service. “He pointed to the cabinet and said ‘there’s one of my uniforms. There’s a picture of me in my Hellcat. There’s a model of the plane I flew,’” Doerr said. “I got to meet the real deal.”
Now in his 11th year as a volunteer, Doerr is among a group of docents and a 15-member aircraft restoration team that support the volunteer-run Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association, which operates the museum on Easton Road in Horsham Township.
Museum Manager Ron Whetstone, a retired Navy veteran, said volunteers play a key role in engaging the thousands of visitors who come through the museum each year. “We always swap the stories,” said Whetstone, who has volunteered for a decade. “We get people from everywhere. We learn about them and their background and their culture.”
Docents also continue learning from visitors. Doerr said a recent guest from Japan pointed out that a historical flag display was inverted and explained its cultural significance. “We still learn,” Doerr said. “We want to tell the right story.”
Gift Shop Manager Fred Herr, of Montgomeryville, said connecting with visitors — especially younger ones — is a rewarding part of volunteering. “You can really feel the connection,” he said. “They really appreciate the history, the knowledge and the technology that I’m sharing.”
The museum’s volunteers, many of whom are between 70 and 80 years old, also share a strong sense of camaraderie. Officials said they are seeking additional volunteers, which could allow the museum to expand its current Wednesday through Sunday schedule to include Mondays and Tuesdays.
The museum, operated by the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association since opening in 2004, features aircraft and artifacts spanning conflicts from World War I through modern-day wars. Volunteers can assist in a variety of roles, including as docents or as part of the aircraft restoration team
