The Hagerstown Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting over 100 years of the region's aviation heritage. Over the past 29 years, the museum has grown from a concept to the world's largest collection of historic Fairchild aircraft. Some of the museum's 25 aircraft include the 1919 Bellanca CE, 1928 Kreider-Reisner KR-31, 1933 Fairchild 22, 1939 Fairchild 24, 1942 Fairchild PT-26, 1943 Fairchild PT-19, 1947 Fairchild XNQ, 1948 Fairchild C-82A, 1953 Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar, 1956 Fairchild C-123K Provider, 1959 Fairchild F-27 and more. The museum's archive has also grown to include over ten thousand photographs and thousands of artifacts, models, personal items, films, and works of art.
The idea for an aviation museum in Hagerstown originated in 1995 during the Fairchild Homecoming Air Show. This event featured historic Fairchild aircraft and the individuals who built them. Engineers, assembly line workers, and many WWII Rosie the Riveters were in attendance during this homecoming event. A display of Fairchild photos, models and films was set up and attendees assumed this was the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. The excitement created by the show and display led Richard Henson, Kent Mitchell, John Seburn, and Kurtis Meyers to organize the first non-profit museum in 1996.
Without a home to showcase the museum's growing collection of aircraft and artifacts, many outdoor events were held at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The museum’s Wings & Wheels Expo (still held annually) drew thousands of visitors each year. Such events showcased the museum's collection and offered rides in the museum's Fairchild PT-19 aircraft. This provided a memorable living history flight experience of pilot training during World War Two.
On September 27, 2020, after many years of looking for a home for the museum, the museum signed a lease for the 1943 Fairchild Aircraft Flight Test Hangar also known as the Dome Hangar. The lease signing, with an option to buy, saved the historic structure from an uncertain future and possible demolition. This hangar was unoccupied for over a decade which resulted in roof leaks, broken pipes, and the ravages of time taking its toll on this historic structure. On October 1, just four days after the lease was signed, enthusiastic museum volunteers gathered to begin the challenging work of preparing the Dome Hangar for occupancy.
The museum had dreamed of one day making the Dome Hangar its permanent home. On February 22, 2022, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan arrived at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum and toured the facility. After seeing current work, the collection, and the intended future vision of the organization, the Hagerstown Aviation Museum received $5 million dollars from the State of Maryland. This allowed the organization to purchase the Dome Hangar, a restoration shop, an annex building, and 8 acres of ramp space to house the collection and hold events.
The Hagerstown Aviation Museum opened to the public December 8, 2023. After many years without a home this was a momentous occasion for the organization, staff, and volunteers to open the museum to the public for the first time. Currently, the museum is conducting a Capital Campaign that will fund continued renovations of the museum’s facilities including expanded exhibit areas, classrooms, and an Aviation Factory Experience with interactive STEM displays.
Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. (d/b/a Hagerstown Aviation Museum) is a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
