The Birchwood Neighborhood is located in the northwest area of Bellingham. Historically, the neighborhood consisted of many small farms on large lots located on the edge of the city. The original single-family residential character can still be found here, primarily in the western section of the neighborhood.

Many residents in the Birchwood area live in apartment complexes located near the main roads of the neighborhood, Northwest Avenue, W. Maplewood Avenue, and Birchwood Ave. These apartments are located close to the Park Manor shopping area.

The Bellingham Golf & Country Club has an 18-hole course and outdoor swimming pool in the northeastern corner of the neighborhood. The Squalicum Creek greenbelt forms the southern border the neighborhood. Birchwood Elementary School, Shuksan Middle School and the Bellingham Technical College are all located in this neighborhood.

Bellingham’s Heritage Flight Museum is moving into their new home at 4165 Mitchell Way, near the Bellingham Airport on Saturday, 17 January 2009. There will be a formal program scheduled to begin at 1:00pm.

The museum was founded in 1996 by Maj. General William Anders an Apollo 8 astronaut. The Heritage Flight Museum is dedicated to the preservation and flying of historic military aircraft. The Museum began at Bellingham International in 2001. The new facility will allow the addition of displays highlighting elements of the US Space Program, mainly the Apollo program.

Volunteer opportunities for individuals and youth groups such as the Civil Air Patrol are available. The  Museum Staff have served as Culminating Project Community Advisors for graduating seniors from Bellingham and Squalicum High Schools, and as supervisors for History majors on internship from Western Washington University.

Visitors to the museum can get an up-close look at the collection of memorabilia and artifacts, and a selection of flying World War II, Korean and Vietnam era airplanes including a P-51 Mustang, Douglas Skyraider, North American T-6, Boeing Stearman, L-13 Grasshopper, Link trainer and others.

Image courtesy of flickr.com by StuSeeger