College Park Aviation Museum552

Opened in 1998, the College Park Aviation Museum is a 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on the grounds of the historic College Park Airport, the world's oldest continuously operating airport. The goal of the museum is to research, preserve, interpret and promote the history and collections of the College Park Airport, and early World War I-era aviation in general, by providing educational exhibits, special events, programs, and tours for the general public, school-age community, and tourists.

The museum includes an open 1 1/2-story exhibit area which highlights a display of unique aircraft and objects relating the history of early aviation at the College Park Airport. The museum regularly updates its exhibits and offers new programs every day. Some of the aircraft on display at the museum are a 1910 Wright Model B Reproduction; a 1912 Blériot XI Reproduction; a 1916 Curtiss JN-4D "Jenny" Military Tractor; a 1924 Berliner Helicopter No.5; a 1932 Monocoupe 110; a 1936 Taylor J-2 "Cub"; a 1939 Taylorcraft BL-65; a 1940 Aeronca 65LA "Chief"; a 1941 Boeing A75N1/PT-17 "Stearman"; and a 1946 Ercoupe 415D.

Events include model and kite-making workshops, aviation crafts, a Santa Fly-In, Flight Night for Halloween, and the Peter Pan Club for three- to five-year-olds (second and fourth Thursdays each month at 10:30am). Adults enjoy regularly scheduled lectures by aviation experts and the Hollywood Flyers Film Series.

Aviation Adventure Birthday Parties (for children ages 3-12) include playtime throughout the museum, activities, a decorated party room for two hours, gift bags, and a t-shirt for the birthday child.

The museum houses a non-circulating library available to visitors for research and browsing during regular museum hours. Sign in at the front desk for access.

The Prop Shop gift store is open during museum hours and offers a range of aviation-related gifts and toys.

Annual membership is available, and some of the benefits include: unlimited free admission to the museum for one year; 15% discount at the Prop Shop museum store; a free subscription to the museum newsletter; advance notice of all programs and special events; and reduced admission to select workshops and special events.