New Navy Museum Building Set to Open
It’s been years in the making, but the new 20,000-square-foot Patuxent River Naval Air Museum complex is ready for its public debut. The museum’s new building will open to the public during a celebration on Memorial Day weekend, starting at 10 am Saturday, May 28.
The beautiful new exhibit hall, located next to the main entrance of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, holds a wealth of exhibits that help all ages discover the heritage of naval aviation’s research, development, test, and evaluation at Patuxent River, MD.
“As many know, design and construction of the museum have been ongoing for several years,” said George Hill, president of the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association. “From its roofline reflecting the shape of an aircraft, to its state of the art environmental controls, this building is a source of pride for St. Mary’s County and all of Southern Maryland.”
The museum was opened in 1978. It now spans three buildings and includes 14 aircraft and aircraft configurations unique to the Naval Air Test Center at Pax River NAS.
Visit the museum and see test and evaluation-centric artifacts like a replica A-1 Triad, the US Navy’s first aircraft; the X-35 prototype of the Navy’s latest aircraft; galleries of aircraft engines and ejection seats; and much more. Be sure to stop at the flight simulators, followed by a trip to the Flightline gift shop, which offers the latest and greatest aviation souvenirs.
Starting Memorial Day weekend, the museum complex will be open six days a week from 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children, seniors and active duty personnel.
“Our board of directors, museum staff and dedicated volunteers are truly excited to welcome visitors to this unique landmark and historic collection,” Mr. Hill said. “We hope you’ll join us as we journey to preserve our heritage, educate future generations about science, technology, engineering, and math programs and inspire our community to never stop pushing the limits.”
The museum is operated by the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. For more information, email [email protected] or call 301-863-1900.
To learn more about the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, visit their Leader Member page.
