The Seattle Aviation Museum is the largest private aviation and space museum on Earth. According to statistics, about half a million people from different countries visit the attraction annually. In addition to exhibitions, educational and awareness programs are held here, and a camp opens in the summer.
History of creation
It was originally the Aviation Historical Foundation, established in 1965. It was opened primarily to restore and carry out restoration work on the Boeing 80A-1, an aircraft found in southern Alaska. The exhibition of the first exhibits was held in the Seattle Center on an area of 10,000 square feet, which is equivalent to 929.0304 square meters.
After 3 years, the landmark received its current name. A turning point in the history of the Seattle Aviation Museum came in the mid-1970s, when Boeing's "Red Barn" was symbolically purchased for $1 from Seattle, which is informally known in society as Jet City. It was the company's first office, and raising money for restoration was slow, so the museum opened its doors in 1983. Since then, it has had a permanent location. After 4 years, a large gallery appeared, which is a lattice structure that can accommodate 20+ aircraft. In the early 90s, the Challenger Training Center was launched, where students receive an interactive space shuttle flight experience.
Short description
One of the most popular non-profit museums in Washington State is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission is free for everyone on the first Thursday of each month at certain hours. It is recommended to check the schedule when planning a visit to the Seattle Aviation Museum, as it may change. More than 175 aircraft are represented, including early models that earned the nickname pioneers of aviation. Among the exhibits are the Boeing 747, Air Force One, whose services were used by Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, as well as Concorde and other models.
With the help of interactive exhibits, one can understand the principles of flight, aerodynamics, and mechanics of air transport engines. In the space gallery, you can get acquainted with artifacts from different time periods. You can explore the Apollo 17 module, a full-size replica of the simulator used by astronauts during mission preparation. Since 2004, the Seattle Aviation Museum has been demonstrating military aircraft. In 2016, the construction of the Aviation pavilion was completed, and the exhibition area became even larger.
Educational programs designed for all ages are also held here on a regular basis. Guided tours, lectures, master classes, a summer camp are organized, spectacular air shows are held. The Seattle Aviation Museum has a library with more than 66,000 books, and historical photographs are available in the archive.
How to get
The Seattle Aviation Museum operates at King County Airport. If you drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the journey will take 10 minutes. You can get from the center of Seattle by bus No124, you need to get off at the 94th Street South stop and walk a little. Alternatively, you can use taxi services.
Gallery
