Wings Over Alma
Non-Profit Organization
Nature & Art Center Wildlife Viewing Deck Visitor Information Museum Displays Gift Shop Art Exhibits
Wings Over Alma 118 North Main Street Alma, WI 54610
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About
Wings Over Alma •
History
of Wings Over Alma
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About Wings Over Alma
Wings Over Alma is a multi-purpose, non profit organization staffed by volunteers.
The center offers a 50 foot viewing platform overlooking the Mississippi River, equipped with spotting scopes and binoculars to view a variety of wildlife year-round. The Mississippi flyway brings hundreds of migrating birds past the Center. During the winter months, dozens of eagles can be viewed from the deck feeding in the open water below Lock and Dam #4. Wings Over Alma overlooks the Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge.
Inside the Center local area artists display their work in rotating exhibits. Nature and wildlife water color, oil and photography has recently been exhibited along with wood carvings. Historical societies also provide rotating local history displays. Educational programs will be offered throughout the year along with events and demonstrations. Top off you visit by browsing the gift shop, grabbing a beverage and sit for a spell in comfortable seating and just watch the river go by, boats and soaring eagles fishing for their dinner.
Wings Over Alma was incorporated September 2006. The first annual meeting will be held September 19, 2007. The membership is 88 voting members as of September 2007. Committees are: Public Relations-Art-Retail-Facility-Membership. There is 1 full time volunteer site coordinator and 4 part time volunteers. There is no paid staff at this time. The center has a 501(c) 3 status and depends in part in donations, fund raisers, volunteers, gift shop sales and grants. Refer to Donation page for donation form.
The center opened
History of Wings Over Alma
The building that Wings Over Alma is housed in was built in 1928. It started as Von Walds Implement dealership and in the 1940’s became a Studebaker dealership until Studebaker eventually went out of business. In November of 2005 Burl and Nadine Leo purchased the building and Nadine, who is an artist a jeweler and founder of Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry Company wanted it to be a place where local and regional artists could exhibit their talents. After the remodeling began, the view of the Mississippi River from the building and the numerous Eagles fishing below the dam inspired the Leo’s and discussions began with interested parties with-in the community. It was felt the facility could be so much more.
The building is in Alma’s Historic District and located on the Mississippi River side of downtown Alma on the Wisconsin Great River Road, the first designated National Scenic Byway in Wisconsin.
Early Picture of the Von Wald's Implement Dealership