Title

Aircraft Building

Date

1917 (built)

1920 (open to public)

1975 (closed and demolished)

Description

The Aircraft Building was constructed in 1917 for the use of the US Signal Service during World War I. After the war ended, the building was transferred to the Smithsonian. It opened to the public in October 1920 as an exhibit space housing aircraft. In the 1940s, it became the temporary home of the National Air Museum, established in 1946. Items on display included the Lockheed Vega Winnie Mae which flew around the world in eight days. The building was demolished in December 1975, once work was completed on a permanent building for the National Air and Space Museum.

Coverage

1920-1949

1950-1979

Source

Smithsonian Institution Archives. View original.