Seattle's Museum Of Flight Affiliates With The Smithsonian Institution

By Keisha McDew

Seattle's Museum of Flight has recently reached a new milestone.

Museum president and CEO Bonnie J. Dunbar recently announced that the museum had been named an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Steve Pool, a member of the Museum of Flight's Board of Trustees and a well-known local television meteorologist, is enthusiastic about the development. ”What's cool,” he says, "is that it gives us a stamp of approval that it is a world class institution.”

Echoing that sentiment is former astronaut George ("Pinky”) Nelson, now at Western Washington University: "I think the affiliation is a great idea. The Smithsonian is the world's premier Air and Space Museum, and the Museum of Flight is among the two or three best collections and facilities in the world.”

Besides the benefit of being connected to the Smithsonian, the museum now has access to the Institution's extensive collections and can borrow from their artifacts. Also, affiliated museums can take advantage of the Institution's expertise in areas of conservation, collections care, and exhibition development.

Although the Museum of Flight already has a broad educational program, the Smithsonian offers additional outreach programs, which affiliates may incorporate into their own museums. Currently, the Museum of Flight has an education program which includes an Aviation Learning Center, Challenger Learning Center, Museum Apprentice Program, and the Washington Aerospace Scholars Program.

The Smithsonian affiliation is expected to catalyze the museum's growth and enhance the experience of visitors.

Founded in 1965, the Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air and spacecraft. The museum is also home to the largest air and space library and archives on the West Coast. Each year more than 400,000 visitors come to the museum. Its onsite and outreach educational programs serve 100,000 people each year.

Keisha McDew is pursuing a bachelor's degree in technical communication at the University of Washington.

Images

Top Photo: The Museum of Flight

Bottom: Alma Douglas (right) presents Bonnie Dunbar and Robert Genise with the Museum's Smithsonian Affiliation Certificate. Photo: The Museum of Flight