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100th Anniversary Logo with the 100 in large letters and the museum logo
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
FREE Admission & Parking


 

Blue banner with "temporary gallery closure" in the middle. In our ongoing efforts to improve the visitor experience and ensure artifact preservation, the Early Years Gallery will be closed weekdays from May 30 - July 21 as we make lighting infrastructure upgrades. The Gallery will be open to museum visitors on weekends and Federal holidays.

What's Happening

Plan Your Visit
Open daily from
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
and New Year's Day)

FREE admission
FREE parking

Click HERE to plan your visit.

Visit our EVENTS PAGE for information about upcoming events and exhibits.


1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio 45433
(near Dayton)
(937) 255-3286

Looking back at 100 years of museum history

It’s hard to believe, but 2023 marks the
museum's 100th Anniversary! 

Since 1923 the museum has grown from a small engineering study collection to the world's largest military aviation museum and is a world-renowned center for air and space power technology and culture preservation. The museum is home to countless one-of-a-kind objects. Our once small engine collection now includes more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles, thousands of artifacts, and spans 20 indoor acres with additional outdoor Air and Memorial Parks that continue to grow every year.

Join us throughout 2023 as we celebrate this major milestone in our storied history with special events, exhibits and special tours for visitors of all ages.

Follow us here and across our social media platforms for updates and information on all our upcoming events and celebrations.

 

100th Anniversary Monthly Gallery Feature: memorial park

Gold Star Families Memorial

 

Image of the large black granite gold star families memorial in memorial park

This black granite monument was donated by the Hershel “Woody” Williams Congressional Medal of Honor Education Foundation, Inc., which was established in 2010 as a charitable 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization whose mission is to honor Gold Star Families by building monuments throughout the country, offering scholarships to Gold Star Children, sponsoring outreach programs and events, and educating communities about Gold Star Families and the sacrifice they have endured.

The Memorial reads: “Gold Star Families Memorial Monument - A Tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.”

 

Security Forces Memorial

Image of the Security Forces Memorial in the Memorial ParkAir Police were born from the separation of the Army Air Forces from the United States Army.  This formation took all Military Police who were with the Army Air Corps were assigned to the Air Force.  This separation occurred in September 1947, yet the creation of the Air Police designation did not occur until January 1948.  The main mission of the career field is to defend the air base. The Law Enforcement, Security, Combat Arms, and K-9 Career fields were combined in 1997.  With this merger of forces the name of the career field was changed from their respective names to Security Forces. 

Part of the Memorial reads: “To the Men and Women of the Air Security Police and Forces, from the Wright Brothers to the Space Shuttles, you have not failed your God, your family, or your country.” – The Defenders. Designed by Eleftherios Karkadoulias SC, Cincinnati Ohio 2000.

 

 

Learn more about Memorial Park

Image of Memorial Park with the 100 Flower arrangement in front of it.


 

Interested in hosting a private event or meeting at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force?
Click here to find out about our unique event space