The Crites "Waukesha" Hangar    In the summer of 2000 a large, new structure began to appear on the north side of the Poplar Grove Airport. Locals watched as a team of bricklayers, stonemasons and welders assembled what looked like a giant jigsaw puzzle. The extraordinary part of the construction was that these pieces were being assembled for the second time. This authentic Lannon Stone building, which was originally built in 1937 at the Waukesha County (Wisconsin) Airport by the Works Project Administration (WPA), was the hub of aviation activity in Waukesha for over four decades. Occupied for many years by Spring City Flying Service, it was later listed on the National Historic Register and given the honorary name "the Crites Hangar" as a tribute to Dean and Dale Crites, two of Waukesha County's most famous aviation sons. As the Waukesha County airport grew and developed into a modern facility, the hangar's location interfered with plans for an Instrument Landing System at the airport, and persistent controversy over the future of the hangar led to plans for its demolition. Several times, it appeared the hangar had been reprieved, with various groups proposing new uses for the building, but each time, it appeared the hangar was destined to become rubble.   On October 26, 1999, the Waukesha, Wisconsin County Commissioners voted to grant this historic building to the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum. The entire 120-foot by 80-foot building was then carefully dismantled and moved 70 miles, piece by piece, to the museum site at the Poplar Grove Airport, Illinois! We broke ground on May 12, 2000, and reconstruction of the building was completed in the Fall of 2001. The hangar is now the centerpiece of the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum, and presently houses many of our exhibits plus a research library and a gift shop. Future plans for the building include additional space for administrative offices, a restaurant, and more. The Commission's foresight and gracious donation means that this historic building will continue to provide future generations with a place to gather and share the wonders of winged and wheeled transportation.   The story of the Crites Hangar is ongoing, and involves much more than just the building shell -- the interior of the building continues to grow and change. Our collection of vintage aircraft, automobiles and other vehicles, memorabilia, artwork, uniforms, models, books, and many other historical items is always evolving, along with our ideas about how to display them in a way which will provide an educational and entertaining experience for our visitors.   Our sincere and ongoing thanks go to everyone who put in vast amounts of time and effort to raise funds; disassemble, move, and reassemble the building; and attend to all the myriad small details involved in such a huge undertaking. Since the Big Move, volunteers put in thousands of hours repairing and cleaning the thousands of window panes; painting the exterior doors; organizing and preparing the exhibits, display stands and signage; installing restrooms (complete with 1930s-era stamped-tin ceilings and old-style fixtures); completing a library loft; organizing and cataloging books; laying carpet; building shelves and display cabinets; installing landscaping and flagpoles; restoring aircraft, vehicles, and other display items; creating a gift shop; and many other tasks too numerous to mention.      The hangar has been the site of our annual fundraisers, as well as several other events, and it's the focal point of our museum complex.