Exhibitions

America by Air traces the history of air transportation in the United States from air mail to airlines.

See examples of business aircraft ranging from small, propeller-driven airplanes for shorter hops to fast, well-appointed "bizjets" that can fly internationally nonstop.

The invention of the balloon struck the men and women of the late 18th century like a thunderbolt. The objects in this exhibition provide a sense of the wonder and excitement experienced by those who witnessed the birth of flight over two centuries ago. 

One World Connected tells the story of how taking to the skies and stars fostered two momentous changes in everyday life: the ease in making connections across vast distances and a new perspective of Earth as humanity’s home.

Thomas W. Haas We All Fly celebrates the breadth and depth of general aviation and its deep impact on society. This gallery explores the many facets of general aviation, from sport to business to humanitarian, and introduces the variety of careers available in aviation.

Artistic expression during the war contributed to this transformation. Before World War I, war art largely depicted heroic military leaders and romanticized battles, done long after the fact, far from the battlefield. The First World War marked a turning point with the appearance of artwork intended to capture the moment in a realistic way, by first-hand participants.

This exhibition examines this form of artistic expression from two complementary perspectives: one, professional artists who were recruited by the U.S. Army; the other, soldiers who created artwork. Together they shed light on World War I in a compelling and very human way.

This exhibition featured artifacts from the development of the Star Wars movie trilogy. View the gallery space through the online virtual exhibit and hear audio clips from the interactive audio tour narrated by James Earl Jones.

Art of the Airport Tower explores contemporary and historic air traffic control towers in the United States and around the world.

In the 1920s and 30s, aviation pioneers pushed boundaries and blazed new trails in the air. The Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight exhibition will celebrate this pivotal era of aviation with a vibrant new space.

The Flight and the Arts Center will explore the relationships between art and the transformative power of the experience of flight through both the display of our permanent collection and new and engaging temporary exhibitions.