A Toronto museum facing the wrecking ball has received a letter of support from the world-famous Smithsonian.

The director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington writes that he wants the heritage of the Toronto museum to be recognized.

The building in Downsview Park is slated for near-total demolition to make way for a four-rink ice complex.

But Smithsonian director John Dailey says many of Canada’s accomplishments over the past 85 years have emerged from the current Toronto home of the Canadian Air and Space Museum.

The building played a major role in the production of aircraft for the Allies in their fight against Hitler during the Second World War is facing the wrecking ball.

Built in 1929, the plant housed the operations of the de Havilland Aircraft company which provided many of Canada’s planes during the war years.

In a letter to museum chairman Ian McDougall, Dailey says he’s very aware of the lasting contribution of the Toronto museum and the historic value of the building.