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The National Air and Space Museum held several pre-opening special events to celebrate the launch of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
Appreciation Day, December 6, 2003
Salute to Military Aviation Veterans, December 9, 2003
Opening Celebration Gala, December 10, 2003
Dedication, December 11, 2003
Opening Day, December 15, 2003
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Appreciation Day visitors were welcomed and given special mementos for their help in building the new Center. |
Donors to the Wall of Honor found their names or those of people they had honored. See how to add your name! |
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The Mary Baldwin College color guard presented the colors at the start of a program that said: "Thank you for helping to make this museum a reality." |
General Jack Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum, told Appreciation Day visitors that their support was vital to the Udvar-Hazy Center's opening on time and within budget. |
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General Jack Dailey personally greeted The National Air and Space Society members and Wall of Honor donors and thanked them for their support. |
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Guests participate in hand-on activities. |
A museum docent speaks with guests. |
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National Air and Space Society members were given a special opportunity to meet aviation legends, such as Don Lopez, who was an ace in the China-Burma-India theater of World War II and is now Deputy Director of the National Air and Space Museum. |
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Salute to Military Aviation Veterans
December 9, 2003
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The Air Force Band's Airmen of Note, in their World War II uniforms,
triggered nostalgia among the veterans with their Glenn Miller-style
music.
Photo by Mark Avino, National Air and Space Museum |
The colors were presented by a joint-service color guard.
Photo by Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum
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General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
said, "America's aviation veterans have bravely explored
and expanded the limits of air power. They made America an air
power - the most innovative and respected in the world today."
Photo by Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum |
Senator John Warner (R-VA) was instrumental in obtaining congressional
approval for building the Center.
Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum |
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One of the distinguished veterans was Brigadier
General Paul Tibbets, USAF (Ret), who flew the B-29 Enola Gay,
shown behind him on display.
Photo by Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum |
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Many of the veterans who toured the Center saw aircraft they flew during their military careers.
Photos by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum |
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These veterans, wearing World War II uniforms, are standing in front of a North American P-51D Mustang.
Photos by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum |
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Opening
Celebration Gala
December 10, 2003
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Many pioneers of aviation and space,
as well as key supporters of the National Air and Space Museum,
attended the Celebration Gala.
Distinguished guests included John Glenn, first American to
orbit the Earth, here chatting with Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, for
whom the new center is named.
Photo by Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum |
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General Jack Dailey, director of the National Air and Space
Museum, leads a toast, flanked by Larry Small,
secretary of the Smithsonian on the left and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy on the right.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
Don Lopez, deputy director of the Museum, and his
wife, Glyn, stand in front of a P-40, the type of aircraft he flew in World War II.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
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Dedication
December 11, 2003
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A large crowd of donors and luminaries from the history of aviation and space attended the dedication of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Actor and pilot John Travolta served as master of ceremonies and had the honor of introducing the Legacy of Flight Honorees, which included one representative for each type of flight. |
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The day started with the dedication of the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower named for the late Director of the National Air and Space Museum (top image). Mary Engen, wife of Admiral Engen, cut the ribbon to the Tower, with the help of General Dailey, Secretary Small, and Steven Udvar-Hazy. In the bottom image, Secretary Small and Mary Engen enjoy the view of Washington Dulles International Airport from the Tower's observation deck.
Photos by Dane Penland and Mark Avino, National Air and Space Museum |
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John Travolta spoke at the Dedication Ceremony.
Photo by Mark Avino, National Air and Space Museum |
The Legacy of Flight Honorees on stage after being introduced one-by-one.
Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum |
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Vice President Richard B. Cheney, a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, spoke at the ceremony, mentioning the Museum's high standart of historic preservation and superb presentation. |
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Aslo speaking at the events were Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chancellor of the Smithsonian William Rehnquist, and Secretary of the Smithsonian Larry
Small, sitting to the right of Vice President Richard Cheney.
Photo by Jeff Tinsley, National Air and Space Museum |
The audience included the Honorable Sean O'Keefe (second from right), NASA Administrator, sitting with a contingent of Boeing executives, CEO Phil Condit (right), Nicole Piasecki, vice president of Sales and Marketing and daughter of rotorcraft pioneer Frank Piasecki, and Rudy DeLeon, vice president of Washington DC operations (far left).
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
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James S. McDonnell, son of the aerospace legend after whom the Space Hanger is named, and Mrs. McDonnell.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy gave a tour of the new Center to Vice President Cheney, Secretary of the Smithsonian Lawrence Small, and the Secretary's wife.
Photo by Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum |
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The United States Marine Corps band entertained the crowd before the ceremony. |
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Via Satellite, the crew of the International Space Station counted down to the moment when the curtains fell to reveal the aircraft in the Udvar-Hazy Center. |
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As a finale to the dedication ceremony, a full-scale replica of the Wright 1903 Flyer descended over the audience and landed on stage. |
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Accompanying their parents to the dedication were the Udvar-Hazy children, Steven C., Karissa, Trent, and Courtney.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy and General John R. "Jack" Dailey at the overlook of the new Center.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
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Opening Day
December 15, 2003
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The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened with fanfare and marching bands on 15 December, 2003.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
Visitors walk among the historic aircraft in the new Aviation Hangar. Shown here are the Boeing 307 Stratoliner; the supersonic transport jet, Concorde to the right; and the Boeing Dash 80 in the background.
Photo by Mark Avino, National Air and Space Museum |
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Two pilots visiting the Udvar-Hazy Center chat with two young visitors.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
A young visitor watches a demonstration at one of the Center's Discovery Stations.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
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Flanked by Joe Anderson, Associate Director for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and Don Lopez, Deputy Director, National Air and Space Museum, General Jack Dailey, Director of the National Air and Space Museum, cuts the ribbon. The Center is open to the public ever day of the year except Christmas.
Photo by Carolyn Russo, National Air and Space Museum |
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The parking lot was full on opening day. |
Hundreds of honorees' names are already inscribed on the Wall of Honor |
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