Inside the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: A Museum and Air and Space Learning Center
September 10, 2024
The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the home of the world’s largest air and space museum, presenting 400 years of human flight and exploration. In addition, the Udvar-Hazy Center also serves as the headquarters of the National Air and Space Museum’s parent organization, the Smithsonian Institution. The Udvar-Hazy Center houses the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Museum, and the Air and Space Learning Center for visitors of all ages.
Inside the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, visitors will find an array of educational experiences and artifacts. The Udvar-Hazy Center houses a number of exhibitions that showcase the diversity of the Smithsonian Institution’s air and space collections. Whether you’re a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or an aspiring scientist, there’s something for everyone at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Built at the same time as Dulles International Airport, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is nestled between the wooded hills of northern Virginia and the Potomac River. Opened in 2013, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is home to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Museum. The Udvar-Hazy Center is also the headquarters of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is also the home of the National Air and Space Museum’s annual Air & Space Week promotion, featuring interactive exhibits, educational programming, and special events.
Udvar-Hazy Hall of Flight
In the Udvar-Hazy Center’s Udvar-Hazy Hall of Flight, visitors can see and learn about aircraft that played a role in the history of flight. Aircraft on display include the Wright Flyer and several models of the Wright Brothers’ airplane; a Boeing 747; and the space shuttle Discovery. Visitors can also see the Smithsonian’s collection of aircraft engines, displayed in their original cockpits.
The American Air Zoo
The Udvar-Hazy Center’s American Air Zoo provides an educational look at the ancient and modern world of flight. Visitors can see reproductions of original Wright Brothers planes, including the 1902 Wright Flyer, which was the first heavier-than-air craft ever built. Visitors can also interact with live animals in the zoo, including a herd of American bison, California sea lions, and an endangered Philippine eagle.
Space Exploration: Earth and Beyond
The Udvar-Hazy Center’s Space Exploration: Earth and Beyond exhibit explores the history of human exploration from ancient times to current times. Visitors can learn about the ancient civilizations that paved the way for modern exploration, the successes and failures of early space explorers, the founding of NASA, and the emergence of the modern space program.
For Educators: Hands-On Learning Experiences
For educators, the Udvar-Hazy Center has a number of hands-on learning experiences for students of all ages. These experiences include a flying simulator, a satellite replica, a 3-D aircraft hangar, a robotics lab, and an interactive space walk.
Exhibitions
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center houses more than 200,000 Smithsonian artifacts and artifacts from over 6,000 different institutions and individuals. The Udvar-Hazy Center has three permanent exhibition galleries: the Udvar-Hazy Hall of Flight, the Udvar-Hazy Gallery of Aviation, and the Udvar-Hazy Gallery of Science and Technology. In addition, the Udvar-Hazy Center hosts a number of traveling exhibitions each year.
Specialized Galleries
The Udvar-Hazy Center’s Specialized Galleries include the Music Room Gallery, which showcases the history of flight music, the Smithsonian Institution’s Historic Aeronautical Collection, the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Exhibitions Gallery, and the Aviation Gallery, which showcases aviation art.
The Udvar-Hazy Center also offers a variety of experiences and learning resources for visitors of all ages. These resources include hands-on activities, educational films, and an interactive family guide. The center’s Learning Center is located on the first floor of Udvar-Hazy Hall of Flight and offers a wide range of resources for visitors of all ages.
Summary
The Udvar-Hazy Center is home to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Museum. With three permanent exhibition galleries and numerous traveling exhibitions, the Udvar-Hazy Center offers a wide range of educational experiences. Inside the Udvar-Hazy Center, you can see aircraft that played a role in the history of flight, interact with live animals, and learn about the ancient and modern world of flight.