The Museum of Flying will once again open its doors at an undetermined date in November, according to museum officials.
“We are excited that the museum will once again be able to preserve and present the history of aviation and inspire children to excel in academics with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Museum Chairman David G. Price said.
The museum hopes to became an educational center for the community and will offer free school tours and feature hands-on workshops for both children and parents.
Exhibits and displays on the 3.2-acre premises take an introspective look at the history of the Santa Monica Airport and the Douglas Aircraft Co. as well as the major aviation and aerospace companies in Southern California.
The museum was originally founded in 1974 by Donald Douglas Jr. as the Douglas Museum and Library. The museum moved from the south to north side of the airport and there reopened as the Museum of Flying in April 1989 with up to 50 vintage airplanes on display.
This year, after a forced closure in 2002 due to economic difficulties, the Museum of Flying will reopen once more with an aircraft collection including a Wright Flyer replica, a general aviation aircraft, a World War II military aircraft and a jet age aircraft.
Roughly 22,000 square feet of the space is allotted for indoor displays as well as an outdoor display plaza for both rotating and visiting aircraft.
The museum will also house the recently established California Aviation Hall of Fame. Individuals who have made a mark on the aviation and aerospace industries will be acknowledged and inducted each year.
The museum is in the process of raising $5 million in a capital campaign to cover construction and pre-opening costs.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.museumofflying.com.
