Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight GalleryNational Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Free
Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery, located in the National Mall building, is an exhibition about the growth and influence of aviation and rocketry during the 1920s and 1930s. The original gallery is being updated with new research and will feature a broader selection of artifacts, including clothing, architectural and engineering elements, and examples of the influence of flight on popular culture. To engage youngsters, one of the new exhibition’s major purposes, the gallery will feature hands-on activities as well as toys, books, and childhood memorabilia of the era.
Noteworthy artifacts will include: Anne Lindbergh’s telegraph key, famed African American aviator Chauncey Spencer’s flight suit, the “Hoopskirt” rocket test stand, Doolittle’s “blind flight” instruments, Lindbergh memorabilia and gifts received by the crew of the Douglas World Cruiser. The exhibit will include kiosks featuring archival film clips and historic photographs of Amelia Earhart’s fashion designs, exotic lands viewed on world flights, and the first experimental rocket launches.
This gallery is made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Model 5B Vega on display in the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight gallery at the National Air and Space Museum.
How to attend
We rely on the generous support of donors, sponsors, members, and other benefactors to share the history and impact of aviation and spaceflight, educate the public, and inspire future generations. With your help, we can continue to preserve and safeguard the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts representing the great achievements of flight and space exploration.