Pearson Air Museum is intimate and interesting

Museum location: 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, Wash. (Located on the Vancouver National Historic Reserve, which also contains Fort Vancouver).

Setting: This intimate and interesting museum is set on the grounds of historic Pearson Field, one of the nation's oldest continually operating airfields. Many milestones in aviation history occurred at this field, named after an early American aviator whose accomplishments included being the first to fly into the Grand Canyon. You enter the museum through a door in a mural on the wall of the gift shop, emerging into a magical world of colorful, red-and-yellow vintage aircraft.

The museum is a great size, with enough aircraft and displays to pique the interest of a wide range of visitors and make it well worth the trip from Seattle, yet not so big that it's overwhelming. As one staffer said, "It's a sweet little museum."

Poke around the place and admire the planes and read the displays. Talk to the volunteers posted around the hangar, who clearly love aircraft and flying. One display case offers whimsical, Leonardo da Vinci-type drawings of early patents for flying machines.

Another exhibit describes in detail how most of the Sitka spruce trees in Western Oregon and Washington were cut to produce timber for aircraft used in the latter days of World War I.

Museum displays: This museum describes the exciting times when flying was new to the world, and the site's aviation history dates back to 1905. All of the aircraft in the hangar are in mint flying condition; many are World War II trainers used to teach beginning and advanced flying skills (a list of the museum's aircraft is posted on the museum Web site).

There are kid-sized models of a plane and a helicopter that are popular with young children, while older kids can try out the flight simulator.

The roomy theater room offers educational videos, and on the second Saturdays of the month (but not May and June, when a temporary exhibit occupies the room) classic, full-length aviation-themed films are shown (included with admission).

Temporary exhibits and events: From May 15-June 20, "Snoopy as World War I Flying Ace," a traveling exhibit from California's Charles M. Schulz Museum, will be at the museum. May 30 is the museum's popular annual Open Cockpit Day, when visitors can climb into three aircraft for a pilot's perspective.

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Sunday through Tuesday)

Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors/active military, $5 children 6-17, kids younger than 6 free; $22 family rate (two adults and up to four kids)

Directions: From southbound Interstate 5 in Vancouver, just before crossing the Columbia River, take the Mill Plain Boulevard exit and head east. Turn right onto Fort Vancouver Way. At the traffic circle, go east on Evergreen Boulevard and follow signs to the visitor center, then follow the road down the hill and turn left onto East Fifth Street. The Pearson Air Museum is ahead on your right after you pass Fort Vancouver.

For more information: 360-694-7026 or www.pearsonairmuseum.org. For a good map, see www.nps.gov/fova/planyourvisit/maps.htm.

Cathy McDonald is a Renton-based freelance writer who regularly contributes the Walkabout column to NWWeekend.