National Air and Space Museum - May 24, 2025

Coming July 28: Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery

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National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
An artist's concept of the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight exhibition. In the center is a hanging silver airplane, a red airplane peaks out of the right. There are vertical panels with information on it.

Gallery Spotlight: Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight

In the 1920s and 1930s, aviation pioneers pushed boundaries and blazed new trails in the air. Opening on July 28, the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight exhibition will celebrate this pivotal era of aviation with a vibrant new space that will feature iconic aircraft, personal stories, hands-on learning, and a stylish new eye-catching art deco design that includes full-size murals and projections.
GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS
The nose of two early airplanes are compared side by side with a graphical split in the middle.
Iconic Airplanes Return

Spirit of St. Louis, the aircraft flown by Charles Lindbergh on the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, and the red Lockheed Vega Amelia Earhart piloted in her record-setting solo Atlantic crossing five years later, will both return to display.
Bessie Coleman standing by a car and airplane, wearing a pilot's outfit, with a building in the background.
Born to Soar

Bessie Coleman was determined to fly and she moved to France to make it happen. In 1921, she became the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Pioneering figures like Coleman will be spotlighted in the gallery.
A historical black and white photograph showing a group of individuals examining an early model rocket outdoors.
Rocket Societies

Beginning in the early 1920s, rocket societies laid the foundations for the first professional rocket programs. The exhibition will feature stories of how early enthusiasts helped ignite the Space Age.
A vintage portrait of a military person in uniform adorned with medals, including a sergeant's insignia. The individual has a serious expression.
Behind-the-Scenes

Some popular and history-making aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s will be on display. You can see a Piper J-2 Cub and the Douglas World Cruiser Chicago under wraps in this behind-the-scenes sneak peek.
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