Aircraft association reveals new name after rebranding
Canadian Aviation Museum reflects focus on airplane restoration, education
Windsor's collection of Canadian aviation history and artifacts will now be known by a new name — the Canadian Aviation Museum — after the organization won a rebranding from a local company.
The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association (CH2A) will now be known as the Canadian Aviation Museum — a new name to reflect the organization's growing mission of collecting, restoring and flying some of Canada's best examples of aviation history.
“I'm very proud and excited to introduce the Canadian Aviation Museum,” said president Don Christopher at an unveiling Thursday. “We're Canadian, we're about aviation and the museum. It doesn't get simpler than that.”
The rebrand, as well as new logo and website, were announced Thursday as the culmination of about two years' work with Generator Design, a local branding company.
The aviation museum won $15,000 in creative services to complete its rebranding through Generator's “Windup” contest, which helps local businesses and non-profits with brand identity and social media.
The museum was one of 17 local businesses nominated and one of three finalists before winning the contest in spring 2019.
“Being in the atmosphere and experiencing the planes, I really think (the museum) is a hidden gem in Windsor,” said Jose Guzman, a partner in Generator Designs. “Hopefully this new brand shines some light on it.”
Nicole Hutchinson, the museum's marketing and social media coordinator, said the old name was often confusing and got muddled on social media, with some confusing them for the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, a London-area organization with a similar mandate.
The museum has also grown since it was founded, taking on new projects and more education than ever before, making the new name fitting, Hutchinson said.
The Canadian Aviation Museum restores, collects and operates antique military and civilian aircraft from Canadian history. It is currently working on a major restoration of Windsor's Lancaster bomber, as well as several other historical aircraft.
Thursday was the 81st anniversary of the use of the building, which was originally a flying school for Canadian pilots. More than 2,400 men began their pilot training in the building over more than four years.
“We're more than a hangar. We're a museum. We educate people about the history of aviation in this country with artifacts and displays,” Christopher said. “I think the new name is so much more appropriate for what we're doing and we're very excited.”
The museum opened for the summer Saturday, July 24 and will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
While a new website is expected in the coming days, people can continue to find details online at ch2a.ca.