Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center

Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center
Name	Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center
Established	2003
Location	Chantilly, Virginia, United States
Type	Aviation museum

Steven F. Udvar‑Hazy Center is a large aviation and space annex of the Smithsonian Institution located near Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. Opened in 2003 as an extension of the National Air and Space Museum, it houses an extensive range of historic aircraft, spacecraft, and large aerospace artifacts that could not be displayed in the museum's main building on the National Mall. The center was funded in part by philanthropist Steven Udvar‑Hazy and has become a key facility for collection storage, public exhibit, and conservation within the Smithsonian complex.

History

The planning for an annex capable of displaying large artifacts grew from limitations experienced by the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall, where iconic objects such as the Enola Gay, the Space Shuttle orbiter, and the Boeing B‑29 Superfortress required expansive floor space, prompting discussions involving NASA officials, National Capital Planning Commission, and Smithsonian Institution leadership. Following feasibility studies and site selection near Washington Dulles International Airport, private philanthropy from Steven Udvar‑Hazy, along with congressional support from members such as Senator John Warner and administrative coordination with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, enabled construction to proceed. The facility officially opened under the direction of Jeffrey A. Smith and later integrated into broader Smithsonian Institution strategic plans, hosting inaugural exhibits featuring artifacts associated with Charles Lindbergh, Wright brothers, and other aeronautical pioneers.

Architecture and Facilities

Designed by the architectural firm HNTB Corporation in collaboration with engineers from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the building features a high-bay hangar and a separate restoration hangar, enabling display and conservation of large airframes such as the Boeing 747, the Concorde, and the Lockheed SR‑71 Blackbird. The 300,000-square-foot complex includes the public Boeing Aviation Hall and the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, which were planned with input from specialists at National Park Service preservation programs and engineers formerly associated with Grumman, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. The facility’s siting near Dulles International Airport facilitates ferry flights and donor transfers involving carriers such as United Airlines and American Airlines, while landscaping and access were coordinated with Fairfax County transportation planners.

Collections and Exhibits

The center's holdings augment the National Air and Space Museum collection with large or sensitive artifacts including the Space Shuttle test vehicle replica, the SR‑71 Blackbird, the Concorde G‑BOAD, the Enola Gay components, and an array of military and civil aircraft spanning manufacturers like Boeing, Lockheed, Douglas Aircraft Company, Northrop, and Sikorsky. Exhibits highlight milestones tied to individuals and events such as Wernher von Braun, Neil Armstrong, Chuck Yeager, Amelia Earhart, and the Apollo program, and objects are contextualized with materials related to Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, and Bell X‑1. The collection also includes rotary‑wing exemplars from Igor Sikorsky designs, experimental aircraft from the Bell X‑planes series, and foreign types like the Fairey Swordfish and the Supermarine Spitfire, reflecting acquisition partnerships with institutions including Imperial War Museums, RAF Museum, and private donors such as Paul Allen.

Restoration and Conservation

The Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar operates as a working conservation laboratory where specialists trained in techniques used by teams at Smithsonian Conservation Institute and influenced by protocols from the National Museum of Natural History and Library of Congress undertake tasks ranging from corrosion control to structural stabilization. Projects have included reconstruction efforts on artifacts associated with World War II campaigns, metal fatigue analysis for high‑performance designs like the SR‑71, and textile conservation for historic flight suits linked to pilots such as Charles "Chuck" Yeager and Sally Ride. Collaborations with educational partners including Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, Virginia Tech, and George Mason University provide research internships and technical training, while conservation outcomes inform curatorial exhibits and loan agreements with organizations such as Smithsonian Affiliations museums.

Education and Public Programs

The center offers public programs developed in partnership with organizations like the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall, Air and Space Museum Planetarium, and local school systems including Fairfax County Public Schools. Educational offerings include docent‑led tours, hands‑on STEM workshops coordinated with NASA outreach, flight simulation experiences featuring historical scenarios involving Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, and special events marking anniversaries of the Apollo 11 mission and commemorations connected with figures such as John Glenn and Buzz Aldrin. Internships, volunteer programs, and teacher professional development are administered in collaboration with higher education and professional bodies including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Society of Automotive Engineers.

Visitor Information

Located adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport near Route 28 and accessible from Interstate 66, the center provides visitor amenities including aircraft viewing galleries, an observatory terrace for runway views, the Boeing Aviation Hall, a learning center, and a museum store stocking publications from Smithsonian Books. Hours, admission policies, and seasonal events are coordinated with the Smithsonian Institution central administration and local transit providers including Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority connections to nearby commuter services. Parking, accessibility services, group tour booking, and docent availability are offered on site, with periodic special exhibitions and temporary loans from institutions such as National Archives and Records Administration and international partners.

Category:Smithsonian Institution