On July 1, 1976, the doors of the National Air and Space Museum's iconic location on the National Mall opened to the public for the first time.

In 2026, the Museum is celebrating the 50th anniversary of that milestone moment. Find out how we're marking the anniversary. 

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The entrance to a museum gallery, with a compass rose on the floor and a small silver airplane hanging from the ceiling. Signs at the entrance identify the gallery as "Pioneers of Flight." In the gallery, other planes are visible as well as cases holding artifacts.

Transformation: Complete

The massive renovation project the Museum began in 2018 to transform every gallery will conclude in 2026 when the final seven updated galleries open to the public. 

About the Project
A view of the Kenneth G. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery. The overwhelming color of the gallery is purple. There is a model of a solar system hanging from the ceiling, with signage on the walls.
At the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Explore All Open Exhibitions

Upcoming 50th Anniversary Events

Empty seats face a large screen, stacked in stadium seating. On the screen two blue angels zoom to the upper left hand side of the screen.

50th Anniversary Film Series

Since the National Air and Space Museum’s building on the National Mall opened in 1976, our guests have been whisked away on adventures in the sky and in space through films in our IMAX theater. 50 years later, celebrate our anniversary with a very special film series.

More About the Film Series
View of the “America by Air” gallery hanging aircraft, showing the Eastern Airlines Douglas DC-3 at the Smithsonian Air and at Space Museum in Washington, DC.

More Ways to Explore Our Object Collection

You will soon be able to find all objects on display at the Museum ... online.

We are working to bring our full object collection online for everyone to access and enjoy. To mark the Museum's 50th anniversary, we plan to have all objects on display available online.

Browse the Collections

Over 50 Years Making and Telling Air and Space History

While the Museum first opened its doors in 1976, the Smithsonian had already been educating the public about flight for over 100 years. 

Chinese Cicada Kite

1876

First Aviation Objects Donated

Twenty Chinese kites were donated to the Smithsonian, the beginning of an unrivaled collection of over 78,000 air and space artifacts

A black and white photograph shows a medieval looking glider on display, hanging from the ceiling above wood and glass display cases.

1881

United States' National Museum Opens

The Arts and Industries Building opens as the National Museum, featuring everything from art to aviation artifacts. 

After World War I, an auxiliary building was build behind Arts and Industries to house the growing aviation collections. 

A black and white illustration depicting what a National Air Museum would look like, with large planes and rockets.

1946

Establishing the Smithsonian's National Air Museum

President Harry Truman signed a bill to establish a Museum to memorialize the development of aviation. 

There was no "space" in the name—the first human wouldn't travel to space for another 15 years.

Rocket Row on West Side of A&I Building; 1960s

1966

Adding "and Space"

Now in the Space Age, President Lyndon Johnson added "and Space" to the Museum's name. The sky was no longer the limit. 

With no dedicated building yet, visitors to the Smithsonian in the 1960s remember seeing rockets on display outside the Arts and Industries building.

Black and white photo of opening ceremony of National Air and Space Museum July 1, 1976

1976

Opening to the Public

The National Air and Space Museum opened to the public as a gift to the nation for the bicentennial. 

A signal sent from the Viking spacecraft, in orbit around Mars, cut the ribbon declaring the Museum open. 

View of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center tower at sunset

2003

The Steve F. Udvar-Hazy Center Opens

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, opened, doubling the amount of space for displays.

The National Air and Space Museum is one of only three Smithsonian museums with multiple locations. 

A figure stands on a lift in front of a large mural of an astronaut planting a flag on the Moon.

2018

Transforming Our DC Location

Work began on a monumental, multi-year renovation to the 1976 building. 

The process involved reimagining every gallery—introducing new artifacts, stories, and interactive experiences. 

A view of the Destination Moon gallery. Neil Armstrong's spacesuit and the command module Columbia are both visable.

2026 and Beyond

What's Next?

In 2026, our multi-year renovation of the National Air and Space Museum's Washington, DC, location will finish. By year's end, all 20 updated galleries will be open. 

However, the National Air and Space Museum is continuing to grow. A new Bezos Learning Center is under construction adjacent to the DC Museum. Planning is in process to expand the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Saturn V rocket projected on Washington Monument

Our History

A logo featuring a line drawing of the National Air and Space Museum's DC location with a large teal 50 in the back. The following text is visible: 1976, 2026, National Air and Space Museum

Marking 50 Years and 250

In 1976, the opening of the National Air and Space Museum's Washington, DC, location was a gift to the nation for the bicentennial. 50 years later, as the United States of America turns 250 years old, we're marking the occasion by completely reopening the transformed Museum in Washington, DC, and related 50th anniversary programming. This is part of Smithsonian's larger Our Shared Future: 250 initiative.

Our Shared Future: 250

Support Our Work for the Next 50 Years