AWA IS TAKING THE NEXT BIG STEP

TO PROTECT OUR INCREDIBLE, IRREPLACEABLE ARTIFACT COLLECTION HOUSED IN THECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES MUSEUM BUILDING

YOU WILL WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS VITAL PROJECT!

Dear Member and Friend:

Undoubtedly, each of us carefully considers where our philanthropy will have the most impact among the many different organizations asking for our support. I would like to explain just how your support will positively affect the Antique Wireless Association and your Communications Technologies Museum.

Since its founding in 1952, the Antique Wireless Association has experienced significant growth, especially in the last few years.  Together, we have developed and curated a world-class collection, which is the centerpiece of many conferences, events, and educational activities. The collection, displayed in the Communication and Technologies Museum on the AWA campus, has amazed and entertained 15,000 visitors since its opening in 2013. After a startup period and closure during COVID, we are now averaging approximately 1,500 visitors per year. We have more than tripled the Museum artifact collection in the last 10 years, and we now own the AWA Campus consisting of four buildings on five acres. All this has been accomplished without debt through the many generous donations of our members and friends.

Our Mission continues as we strive to leverage our members’ outstanding knowledge and their generosity. Our tremendous collections and displays in the Museum reflect the dedication of our incredible members and our volunteer staff. They have turned these artifacts into a beacon of learning, enlightening visitors of all ages through the educational opportunities sponsored by the AWA Educational Institute.

Although AWA is insured, we would never be able to replace our world-class artifacts in our collection, including numerous “first of its kind” items. AWA has determined that water-based sprinklers are the best option for fire protection.

• Non-water-based systems are designed for use in small, contained areas such as a server room. The Museum’s main open room is 10,000 sq. ft. These systems deliver their gas capacity, bursting in “one-shot”, and they are done. If the system fails to extinguish the fire, they are useless. Also, they are a threat to the occupants in the room. For a museum with the general public in the building, that is a real safety problem.
• In a water-based sprinkler system, each sprinkler head in the system is independent and opens in response to fire (heat) directly below the head. Once a head detects heat and starts, it continues to spray water until the fire department arrives and turns off the system. Sprinklers will extinguish the fire. Thus, the water is distributed to a local area rather than across the entire facility.
• What about the water damage? Objects below the sprinkler head are already on fire and being damaged. If that fire is not extinguished, the artifacts will be destroyed, and the fire will likely spread. Potential water damage near a sprinkler head is a small price to pay to protect the remainder of the building.
• A variant of the water-based sprinklers, a “dry charge” sprinkler system, pauses before the water is released. This allows time to fight the fire before discharging. This type of system is primarily used where staff or security are present at all times. This is not the case at AWA.

The AWA Board authorized a feasibility study that estimated the cost of a sprinkler system. Prepared by LaBella Associates of Rochester, NY, the total cost of the system is estimated to be approximately $326,000.

Our goal is to raise $326,000. We already have already received $55,000 in donations and commitments toward our goal. Your generous donation will help us achieve our goal to protect our outstanding collection! For the first $40,000 of donations received, an AWA Board Trustee has offered to match your donation with an additional 50%. Please make your donation right away to receive this matching offer.

For your convenience, there are two ways to donate today – by using PayPal or credit card (link below) or by check, or as a Qualified Charitable Donation (mail-in link below).

Thank you for your generous support of the Antique Wireless Association and its “world-class” Communication Technologies Museum.

To date, the AWA has received no government or other agency funds and relies entirely on support from members.  We will continue to pursue funding from Foundations and the government. Contributions to the AWA are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.  The Antique Wireless Association is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational corporation (EIN 16-1501004) and a State of New York chartered educational Museum.

If you have any questions, please email me at President@AntiqueWireless.org or call 585.314.7310.

Regards,

Bob Hobday

President and Chairman of the Board

HOW CAN I DONATE?

There are two basic ways to donate to this critical effort.

On-Line Donation

Mail-in Donation