Did you know that National Aviation Day was this past Wednesday? Established by President Franklin Roosevelt on August 19, 1939, the day was designed to celebrate the history and ongoing developments of aviation in our nation and throughout the world (and beyond). The date was chosen specifically, as it also coincides with the birthday of the one and only Orville Wright.
It’s amazing to look back on the myriad milestones humankind has accomplished throughout the history and development of aviation and space exploration. And if you have a particular fascination with this field, then perhaps a visit to an immersive, comprehensive collection that houses all these pursuits through a profuse offering is what you seek most. Well, for those in the Mid-Atlantic region, you’re in luck. The National Air and Space Museum is located, conveniently enough, right in the heart of Washington, D.C.
So, what exactly are the classic callouts housed here? In this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m delivering a detailed survey of the museum and all it has to offer. I will be highlighting the historic marvels you will see on a visit, specifically.
The Museum’s Establishment
As part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is dedicated to human flight and space exploration. It was established in August of 1946 by an act of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Originally, it was simply referred to as “the National Air Museum.”
Later developments resulted in additional structural evolutions. Expanding collections led to a name change as well, covering air exploration both within the confines of our planet as well as outer space. The primary building opened on the National Mall near L’Enfant Plaza in 1976.
In addition to the District of Columbia, the museum operates a 760,000-square-foot (71,000 m2) annex, known as “the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.” This is based in Chantilly, Virginia, at Dulles International Airport. Among its most notable callouts is the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, which houses the museum’s restoration and archival activities.
Historic Highlights Housed Here
The museum, first and foremost, operates as a “center for research into the history and science of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics.” The multifaceted collection covers more than a century of air and space history on display both publicly and within its elaborate, extensive research holdings. Some of the pieces comprising the National Air and Space Museum collection even date back to the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
Nearly all spacecraft and aircraft housed here are originals. Others are primary or backup crafts as opposed to facsimiles. Some of the highlights you can see on display include the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, the spacesuit worn by the first human to walk on the Moon, the Friendship 7 capsule, which was flown by John Glenn, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the model of the starship Enterprise used in in Star Trek: The Original Series, and the notable 1903 Wright Flyer, among many other aviation marvels.
Five new exhibits recently opened this past July. Exhibitions can be found spread out across the museum at the following locations: RTX Living in the Space Age Hall, Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air, TEXTRON How Things Fly, U.S. National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe, and the Art of Air and Space: Interpretations of Flight. Click here to see a full listing of other displays and features housed within the aforementioned sectors. Follow this link to discover all other holdings.
In-House Amenities and Accolades
Plan to stay awhile and enjoy all other museum amenities while you’re at it. For starters, you have free guided tours, Discovery Stations, kid-friendly areas, a resident gift store, and more. Great food is served up at the in-house Mars Café to keep you fueled up for your ultimate outing. Then there’s the famed Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theater to check out, along with the Northrop Grumman Planetarium to consider. It’s certainly an ongoing exploration you’re in for on a visit!
The historic museum reached and exceeded a notable milestone in 2023 when it welcomed 3.1 million visitors. This distinguishes it as the fourth-most visited museum in the United States and 11th-most in the world.
Visiting Today
Visiting the National Air and Space Museum is free for all. Timed-entry passes are required, however. Also, take note that this weekend specifically may present certain limitations on visiting, as the museum is directly within the line of the “Stripes” General Access perimeter of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed on Christmas. Visit at 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560. All other information can be found on the website.