National Air and Space Museum Announces Plans To Celebrate 50 Years

Five New Galleries Will Open This Summer

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is celebrating 50 years since the building in Washington, D.C., opened to the public and will commemorate this milestone throughout 2026. The museum opened July 1, 1976, as a gift to the nation for the U.S. bicentennial. Five new galleries will open to the public on the museum’s 50th anniversary, July 1, and in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The remaining two renovated galleries will open in the fall, which will complete the multi-year project. Programming will also take place throughout the year to celebrate 50 years, including a film series, lectures, special merchandise and digital offerings.

Galleries opening July 1:

Flight and the Arts Center

Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air

U.S. National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe

RTX Living in the Space Age

Textron How Things Fly

Learn more on The National Air and Space Museum’s official website.

Press release courtesy of The National Air and Space Museum.

Photo courtesy of The National Air and Space Museum.