Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BY TERESA SMITH
Times-Union Staff Writer
MENTONE - Bell Memorial Aircraft Museum is planning another expansion.
In February the 75 feet by 75 feet hangar area was substantially complete. It houses two 47-G heliocopters. Two 47-H models are being restored. One will go to Texas for display.
A Bell Huey helicopter greets visitors from it's concrete pad near the entrance of the museum.
Much of the Lawrence D. Bell-related aviation items are being moved to the larger space. This leaves a bit of space in the east "wing" for more Mentone history.
"We want people to know we're accepting things they want to donate, " said Sue Pyle, who is chairing the Mentone memorabilia committee.
The Mentone area has a small casket with viewing window from the L.P. Jeffries Funeral Home; an original plat of the town showing how founder Albert Tucker's ground would be developed around the railroad system; a picture of Tucker; a showcase from the Shaefer-Goodman Drug store; items from the bicentennial celebration and other pictures of Mentone in addition to the trophy collection of the late aviator Bob Herendeen.
For more information call Sue Pyle at 574-353-7228, Marsha Scott, 353-7460, Lois Miller, 353-7674 or Linda Cochran, 353-7113.
About Bell:
Mentone native Lawrence D. Bell devoted 44 years to the aircraft industry.
He became chairman of the board of one of the nation's foremost aircraft firms, Bell Aircraft Corp.
This company produced such significant aviation contributions as the nation's first jet propelled airplane, the world's first commercial helicopter, the world's fastest and highest flying airplane, the Bell X-1A, and the first jet vertical take-off and landing plane.
Bell left the town $20,000 gift in his will with the stipulation the funds be used to honor his parents, Isaac and Harriet (Sarber) Bell.
A decision was made to purchase a building on Broadway for the town library in 1960, renaming the Mentone Library the Bell Memorial Public Library.
The library moved to the former Frank Manufacturing building at the corner of Main Street and Broadway in 2003.
