BRODHEAD — Kelch Aviation Museum hasn’t yet been fully realized.  

Though a collection of 17 vintage airplanes has been gathered for public viewing, Executive Director Patrick Weeden said the problem is where they are located; scattered among six hangars in Brodhead. 

“Right now, we’re only a museum because we say we are,” Weeden said, noting different display pieces are “just sitting in sheds.”

If visitors wish to tour the collection now, they have to set up appointments with Weeden.

But that may soon change, thanks in part to a grant the museum recently procured through an application process that organizers began at the end of 2017. The William S. Knight Foundation, named for an influential member of the community who died in 2016, awarded a challenge grant of $370,000 to the museum. A challenge grant means the recipient has to match funds in order to receive the grant.

“Before he died, we had been talking to him,” Weeden said of Knight, who admired vintage cars and airplanes. The estate had donated funds to the museum after Knight passed away.

“Obviously, it’s a big help,” Weeden said. “He was a pillar of the community.”

The museum announced Aug. 9 that the matching grant funds will go toward the creation of a facility. Its main hangar will be named, “The Bill & Sue Knight Memorial Vintage Aviation and Automotive Building.”

Weeden noted Knight was a “presence” at the Brodhead Airport and spent time restoring vintage aircraft, even serving as a founding member of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 431 and the Midwest Antique Airplane Club. His wife, Sue, who will also be dedicated in name through the new facility, died in 2009.

The restored aircraft will feature planes from 1920 to 1940, which is known as the “Golden Age of Aviation.” Plans for the museum include a main hangar spanning 12,000 square feet. It will also house vintage automobiles. An aviation art gallery and technical library will be included. A large, rentable banquet space over roughly 4,000 square feet will allow the public to use the museum even if attendees are not drawn to an event because of aviation.

“It makes it more of a community thing rather than this niche thing,” Weeden said. 

And with a physical space for the museum instead of separate spaces should help ensure the private collection of Al and Lois Kelch, as well as others on long-term loan, will be seen by the public all year in a centralized location. 

“Having everything under one roof is a huge deal,” Weeden said, adding that being able to be open in inclement weather would be a great success. 

The museum has been taking part in an ongoing capital campaign since 2016. Weeden said the group intended to conclude fundraising by the end of 2018. So far, roughly $600,000 has been raised in cash and pledged donations. The nonprofit corporation purchased 2.5 acres adjacent to the Brodhead Airport with two hangars, a private access drive and utilities ready to use.

Once the museum raises its matching $370,000, it will reach its ultimate goal, between $1.3 to $1.4 million in total funds. Meeting that anticipated amount will allow the facility to begin construction as soon as weather permits in 2019.