Dear LSFM Friends and Family,
These last two months have been a great challenge to all of us. No one has escaped impact of COVID-19. We applaud and honor all those that continue to work tirelessly in our hospitals and research centers, our first responders, care givers, testers, all those that put themselves at risk to meet the needs of those in need.
Now with the rest of you, we are optimistic that beginning a cautious, return to normal is possible and prudent. The Governor has established a phased approach that mitigates risk and balances a proper health related posture with an economy that simply has to restart. The debate about the efficacy of this phased approach will continue and will play out in the coming weeks. I do know from experience, the difficulty in getting a plan like this exactly right the first time is tremendous and it will likely have to be adjusted as circumstances unfold. Millions of Texans are depending on it.
After much consideration and assessment of our own risk, we are excited to let you know we will re-open our doors on Memorial Weekend, Saturday, May 23rd. We will follow the Governor’s direction with respect to social distancing and capacity to provide a museum experience that will progressively increase in the coming weeks and months.
We will limit our capacity based on directive and implement appropriate social distancing protocols to protect our staff and visitors alike. The full museum will be open but we will limit activity in the various galleries to visual engagement only. As restrictions relax over time, we will open the hands-on opportunities as well.
To welcome our friends back and in recognition of the financial challenges many face, we will re-open May 23rd with the following offers and adjustments:
- A “Pay what you can.” offer through May 31st
- Beginning June 1, a reduced flat fee ($5/child and $10/adult) for our visitors until we can once again offer the full museum experience.
- We will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th
- We will return to a Tuesday through Sunday schedule beginning June 1.
- Museum hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and Noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. As things return to normal, we will make adjustments as necessary.
This coming Friday, May 8th, between noon and 1 pm we invite you to go outside and #lookup. In concert with the CAF and other great supporters we will launch nearly two dozen warbirds from Ellington in an aerial “Fight to the Finish Flyover” around the city of Houston commemorating the 75th Anniversary of VE Day-Victory in Europe. Word of the event is all over social and local media. What a great way to honor America, Texas, Houston and the “greatest generation” on whose shoulders we stand today. What a great way to re-open.
We are just excited to have you back and look forward to seeing you soon. Your health and safety and that of our staff is of paramount concern to me and we will act accordingly. We want you comfortable and happy with your museum as we celebrate fight and continue to believe aviation inspires achievement and endless possibilities.
See you soon,
Douglas H. Owens, Lt Gen (ret)
President and CEO
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