The Garden City Historical Society will host guest lecturer Ray Donnelly for a rousing flight through aviation history in his upcoming presentation, A History of Mitchel Field and Aviation in Garden City. This free lecture is scheduled at The Garden City Historical Society Museum, 109 Eleventh Street, on Sunday afternoon, April 20, 3:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. In addition, all attendees will receive a complimentary discount ticket to the Cradle of Aviation IMAX Theater.

Mr. Donnelly's lecture begins with background about the glacial terrain landscape that made Garden City a perfect place for the upstart venture, aviation, at the turn of the 20th century. The area's flat, grassy plains were perfect for the growing experiments in flight. Mr. Donnelly will speak about the beginnings and growth of Mitchel and Roosevelt Fields, how they blossomed into the heart of recreational and commercial aviation, their contributions to aviation in the early 1900s, and their roles during World Wars I and II. Mr. Donnelly will touch upon Glenn Curtiss and his Curtiss Engineering Corporation, Long Island's first airplane factory and the world's first facility completely dedicated to aviation research and development, located nearby on Clinton Road and Stewart Avenue. Mr. Donnelly shares his knowledge on the Golden Era of flight, when all the major records were made, including Charles Lindbergh's famous trans-Atlantic solo flight and his stay the night before in the Garden City Hotel.

Ray Donnelly is a financial analyst living and working in Garden City. A resident for over 50 years, Ray has been a volunteer and tour guide at the Cradle of Aviation since it reopened in 2001. Ray's connection to the history of aviation in Garden City predates his birth. His father, Capt. Joe Donnelly, was stationed at Mitchel Field during WWII, and his Mom and Dad met at the O'Club, and were married at the Mitchel Chapel. During High School, Ray ran with the Garden City indoor track team in the very same hangars that now house the Cradle of Aviation. His son Peter, now on active duty with the US Air Force, was a "Cradle" volunteer before Ray, and plans to return to the Museum after his service. Garden City aviation history has been, and will continue to be a significant part of Ray's life.

Please join us for an informative and enjoyable lecture.