PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County International Airport will become home to the Port Townsend AeroMuseum if supporters have their way.

AeroMuseum supporters and planning for a 12,000-square-foot building at the airport. The cost of the building is estimated at $500,000.

The museum would house a variety of classic aircraft, including a plane similar to that used by German ace Manfred von Richthofen — the Red Baron — during World War I.

Jerry and Peggy Thuotte of Port Ludlow cranked the propeller on the museum idea when they were deciding what to do with their fleet of classic airplanes.

“We didn’t want to sell our airplanes or give them to a museum,” Thuotte said. “So, we thought, ‘Why not start a museum right here in historical Port Townsend and donate our airplanes to it?’ It seemed like a natural fit.”

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