About Us

Over the past nearly 2 decades, our collection of kites from around the world has increased to 1500 kites. In 1989 the David Checkley Asian Kite Collection of 700 Japanese, Chinese and Malaysian kites were donated to the Museum. The 300 Japanese kites are considered the most complete collection of Japanese kites outside of Japan. The Kite Museum changes its exhibits regularly to accommodate many educational opportunities.

Besides our outstanding kite collections, the Museum has extensive archival materials. The American Kite Association has combined their archives with ours. An active oral history program exists on cassettes and videos. All this makes the World Kite Museum the major information source on kites around the world. Textbook companies and freelance writers are the most frequent users. The Museum also has an International Advisory Board. The five members are from England, France, Thailand, Japan and Germany. These people promote the Museum, obtain and locate items for the collections, and advise the Director on specific projects and exhibits.

Education programs include elementary and high schools in both the local and surrounding areas. Adult touring groups, local organizations, and Elder hostels are another educational niche. Weekend annual hands-on workshops sponsored by the Museum bring outsiders to the area.


How the Museum is Managed

a 501 c 3 non-profit organization, the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame is governed by a Board of Directors, which meets the third Monday of each month.

Board of Directors

  • President – Blaine Walker, 42nd St Café
  • Vice President – Jim Sayce, Washington State Historical Society
  • Secretary – Sherry Hash, Key Bank
  • Treasurer – Cecilia Morris-Overton
  • Merry Scharfe, Bank of the Pacific
  • Linda Kaino, Ocean Beach Hospital
  • Gordon Zuern, Long Beach City Council
  • Lance Ford, Kite Flyer & Hospital Technician
  • Dennis Long, Bank of Pacific

Staff

  • Kay Buesing, Museum Director
  • Sharon Absher, Office Manager and Bookkeeper
  • beachdog.com, webmaster
  • Cecilia Morris-Overton, Treasurer
  • Jeanne Nitzel, Exhibit Narrative Boards
  • MaryAnne LaFave, Education Director
  • Mary Yoshimi, Education & Programming Assistant
  • Annette Thompson, Gift Shop
  • Jane Holeman, Hall of Fame
  • Glen LaFave, Two-line Kite Instructor
  • Rae Bohn, Two-line Kite Instructor
  • John Barresi, Four line Kite Instructor
  • John Freeman, Kite Making Instructor
  • Marjorie Cochrane, Newsletter
  • Scott Davis, Indoor Kite Flying