ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Committee presented the South Dakota Air and Space Museum with the June 2017 Beautification and Revitalization Award during a ceremony May 31.
The award, given out annually between April and September for the last 40 years, recognizes a local business or organization that has enhanced the community, according to the award committee.
Vesta Wells Johnson, the chairman of the chamber’s beautification committee, said that a museum volunteer nominated the facility.
“When I came [to judge] the area, I immediately noticed how warm and inviting [the museum] was. I knew immediately that this place should receive the award,” she said.
The museum underwent an exterior makeover which lasted from 2014 to 2016, with the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron assisting with revitalizing the outdoor exhibits.
“The design process for the revitalization of the museum began in early 2014, and we began implementing these designs in mid-2014,” said David Klein, the lead architect for the project assigned to the 28th CES. The contractors and CES Airmen worked shoulder-to-shoulder, planting low-maintenance plants that require little water, placing new gravel and installing new sidewalks as part of the project that cost just over $1 million. “Everything we did was to make the area more inviting and accessible to everyone.”
Johnson explained that she was born and raised in South Dakota, and had visited the museum throughout her life. However, when she visited after the revitalization was complete, she found the museum had become remarkably more pleasing and fascinating.
“The museum was the best choice for this award,” Johnson said. “The improvements really have made a difference with the community, and that is what this award is recognizing.”
For more information about the South Dakota Air and Space Museum and all it has to offer, call (605) 385-5188, or visit: www.sdairandspacemuseum.com.