Announcement made following tragic accident that claimed the life of pilot and board member.

We reported this past weekend on the tragic accident that took the life of a pilot during an air show at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. 60-year-old Brian Coughlin, of Cazenovia, NY, a longtime Aerodrome volunteer and board member was killed in an accident with a replica of a WWI Fokker D-VIII aircraft.

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Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a museum that owns many aircraft of the Pioneer Era, World War I, and the Golden Age of Aviation between the World Wars, along with multiple antique automobiles. America's first flying museum of antique aircraft, the museum at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, opened for the 2024 season on May 1 and was scheduled to be open through October 31, with air shows on Saturdays and Sundays.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Cancels Rest of 2024 Air Show Season

Following last weekend's tragic accident, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has released the following statement regarding the rest of the 2024 season:

We have made the difficult decision to cease air show operations for the 2024 season, opting out of our last two weekends. The museum will remain open through the end of our normal schedule apart from Saturday October 12th when all facilities will be closed.
Biplane rides will be available Monday – Friday by appointment for the remainder of October, as well as the following events:
Sunday October 13, 2024 – Museum open, biplane rides available, pumpkin painting for kids
Saturday October 19, 2024 - Museum open, biplane rides available, pumpkin painting for kids
Sunday October 20, 2024 – Open, details to follow at a later date.
We thank everyone for their continued support.
Please join us in looking forward to the 2025 air show season. We are certain it will be one for the ages for us, for you and for our fallen member Brian Coughlin.

According to the obituary for Brian Coughlin, friends are invited to a Celebration of Life for Brian on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. in and around the hangar at their home, Crosswinds Farm, 1512 Peth Road, Cazenovia, NY.
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In lieu of flowers, the family also asks to consider a donation to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, P.O. Box 229, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, P.O. Box 627, Cazenovia, NY 13035 or the Limestone Creek Hunt, P.O. Box 286, Cazenovia, NY 13035.

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson Visits Rhinebeck

Photos of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

Gallery Credit: Robyn Taylor

Five Celebrities That Lived in Rhinebeck Once

These five famous folks once called Rhinebeck home.

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Have You Been To FDR's Cousin's House in Rhinebeck, NY?

Some may only know about FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt but there were other family members who played a role in the Hudson Valley.

Thomas Suckley and his wife Catherine Murray Bowne created history in Dutchess County, NY. Their estate called "Wilderstein" was designed in the 1800's. 

According to Wilderstein.org, the meaning behind the name of their estate means "wild man's stone". This was in reference to "an Indian petroglyph on the property, a reminder of the cultural heritage that preceded European settlement of the region."

By the late 1800's, the son of Thomas and Catherine (Robert Bowne Suckley) along with his wife, Elizabeth Philips Montgomery decided to add onto the estate.

This "Queen Anne style mansion" is also known for its beautiful views, lush landscape and large property. There were three generations of the Suckley family members that lived at Wilderstein. 

Who was related to FDR?

Margaret Suckley was not only just a cousin of FDR but they spent quality time together. She traveled with FDR during his presidency and gifted him his black Scottish terrier dog, Fala.
Margaret also helped FDR form his library located in Hyde Park, NY.

Some would also say that she was a "confidante" to him as well. Margaret was with FDR when he passed away in Georgia. She died at the Wilderstein estate in 1991 at 100 years old.

Margaret was the last resident to live at Wilderstein. 

Wilderstein is also known as "the Hudson Valley's most important example of Victorian architecture."

Gallery Credit: Allison Kay

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