Chief Justice Warren Burger, far left, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, second from left, join President Gerald Ford, center, National Air and Space Museum Director Michael Collins, next to Ford, and Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley in applause after a signal from Viking 1, orbiting Mars, triggers the ribbon cutting at the opening of the Museum's building on the National Mall, July 1, 1976.
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC opened on July 1, 1976. The official ribbon-cutting began with a signal sent from the Viking 1 spacecraft approaching Mars. Relayed to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, the signal arrived at the Museum via ground lines. The signal activated a mechanical “arm,” causing the ribbon to split in two. At the ribbon cutting, President Gerald Ford called the Museum “a perfect birthday present from the American people to themselves.” The opening was one of the highlights of America’s bicentennial celebration.
Walking through the doors on opening day, visitors found ten acres of exhibition space comprising 22 distinct galleries. They entered the building through the Milestones of Flight gallery, where they found the icons of the age of flight including the Wright Flyer, the world’s first airplane; Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis; the Bell X-1 that carried Captain Chuck Yeager through the speed of sound for the first time; the Mercury Friendship 7 spacecraft that astronaut John Glenn rode into orbit; and the Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia, that brought Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin home from the Moon.
The success of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum exceeded expectations. Record crowds beat a path to the Museum from the first day the doors opened and have kept coming year after year. The five millionth visitor crossed the threshold only six months after opening day.
But there was little time to rest on post-1976 laurels. In the early years, the Museum kept a fast pace, offering new exhibit galleries (nearly one per year), new movies, and public programs. In 1982, the groundbreaking Black Wings exhibit opened, exploring the long struggle of African Americans to take to the sky. In 1996, the Museum opened a new interactive gallery called How Things Fly. It offered imaginative interactive devices that help people of all ages grasp the basic principles of flight, and entertaining talks and demonstrations on scientific principles.
In addition to its exceptional collection of artifacts and engaging displays, the Museum offers public programs geared toward visitors of all ages. Many of the most noteworthy names in aviation and space history have lectured at the Museum, from astronaut Neil Armstrong to aviation pioneer Chuck Yeager, and the Museum continues to host prominent scientists, engineers, leaders in aviation and space exploration year after year. For a list of upcoming lectures, see the calendar of events.
The Museum has continued to grow and change. In 2018, the Museum embarked on a multi-year renovation. All 23 exhibitions are being completely reimagined, with the addition of new presentation spaces and attractions.
On October 14, 2022, the first eight reimagined galleries opened to the public. The Museum is continuing to work on transforming the building, including reimagining more galleries. The remaining galleries will open in phases. While work continues, portions of the building will be closed. The full building is anticipated to be open in 2026.
In 2021, the Smithsonian received a $200 million donation from Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chair of Amazon, and founder of aerospace and space flight company Blue Origin. The donation is the largest gift to the Smithsonian since the Institution’s founding gift from James Smithson in 1846. A portion of the donation will launch a new education center.
Were you involved in the design or construction of the original National Air and Space Museum building in Washington, DC? Share your story with us at preservation@si.edu.