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  • National Air and Space Museum in DC
  • Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
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View of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center tower at sunset

One museum, two locations

Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.

What's On

What's On

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Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

At the museum and online

Discover our exhibitions and participate in programs both in person or virtually.

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space shuttle launch

Dive deep into air and space

Browse our collections, stories, research, and on demand content.

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Women in Aviation and Space Family Day

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Bring the Air and Space Museum to your learners, wherever you are.

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Bob Hoover Gives an Air Show Performance

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Your support will help fund exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation efforts.

Paul E. Garber Facility

Breadcrumb

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  3. History
  4. Paul E. Garber Facility
History
  • Museum in DC
  • Udvar-Hazy Center
  • Paul E. Garber Facility
Organization
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Transforming the Museum
  • Transforming Air and Space
  • Bezos Learning Center
Annual Reports
  • Annual Report 2023
  • Annual Report 2022
  • Annual Report 2021
  • Annual Report 2020
  • Annual Report 2019
  • Annual Report 2018
  • Annual Report 2017
  • Annual Report 2016
Explore el Museo

The Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility is named in honor of Paul Edward Garber (1899-1992), who was instrumental in collecting more than half of the Smithsonian-owned aircraft.

Known as “Silver Hill” when it opened in a Maryland suburb of Washington, DC of the same name, the Garber Facility came to house the ever-expanding collection of aircraft, spacecraft, and other artifacts. One building was dedicated to a large shop where collections specialists worked to preserve treasured artifacts. 

Today, the no-frills assemblage of about 32 metal buildings still belongs to the National Air and Space Museum and other Smithsonian organizations, but the majority of the collection is being moved to a more modern, well-equipped location. The main preservation and restoration workshop has moved to the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.  While some airplanes, spacecraft, engines, and various parts are still stored at the Garber Facility, most have been, or soon will be, relocated to the Udvar-Hazy Center.

  • Restoration Workshop at the Garber Facility
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    The restoration and preservation shop at the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber Facility in Suitland, Maryland with artifacts undergoing preparation for display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport.

  • Airplanes In Storage at the Garber Facility
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    Storage at the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber Facility in Suitland, Maryland. These artifacts will eventually be on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport.
  • Three restoration volunteers are seated and smiling while working on aircraft parts. A volunteer in the foreground holds sandpaper over the center of a large wood propellor.
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    Each restoration project is a team effort requiring highly specialized skills and anywhere from 2,000 to 30,000 hours.
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  • Restoration Workshop at the Garber Facility
  • Airplanes In Storage at the Garber Facility
  • Three restoration volunteers are seated and smiling while working on aircraft parts. A volunteer in the foreground holds sandpaper over the center of a large wood propellor.
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National Air and Space Museum

6th St. and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560

202-633-2214

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Free Timed-Entry Passes
Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

Open daily
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
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