For years, most of us thought the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum were friends, partners in promoting two things everyone loves: history and aviation.
But a long-simmering turf war has turned them into bitter enemies: the Historic Site (part of the vast National Park Service) vs. the museum leaders (the Fort Vancouver National Trust and the city of Vancouver). It’s a most improbable feud, kind of like the St. Louis Cardinals fighting with folks at the Gateway Arch.
Pearson Air Museum leaders have left the building, taking their toys. The trust and the city couldn’t abide by new management and operational demands of the NPS. Historic Site officials say they’re surprised, as if the Pearson people evicted themselves.
The partnership that began in 1995 now means nothing. The NPS has imposed its bureaucratic silo management style, preferring that over any fostering of community alliances.