The origins of the museum lie in the efforts of fifteen business leaders who formed a committee in 1983 to evaluate the possibility of an aviation museum. Less than one year later, the Santa Maria Aeronautical Museum and Exhibits was chartered.[1] The museum initially opened in 1988 as a gift shop in the Santa Maria Airport terminal building.[2] Construction on a 6,000 sq ft (560 m2) hangar began in June 1989, with plans at the time eventually calling for a 140,000 sq ft (13,000 m2) facility.[3] The museum opened to the public in July 1990.[4]
A second hangar, built as a set for the movie The Rocketeer, was brought in from a different location at the airport and by 1994 was being renovated for use by the museum.[5][6] Two years later, after the Western Spaceport Museum and Science Center failed, the Museum of Flight acquired its collection.[7]
The museum was engaged in fundraising to build a 7,200 sq ft (670 m2) hangar in 2003.[10]
A memorial garden for the Ninety-Nines women's pilots association was dedicated in 2012.[11][a]
While the museum was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic it added a new member of the board of directors and replaced the roof and siding on one of the hangars.[13][14]
Facilities
The Edward J Horkey Memorial Research Library is located in the museum's Early Aviation Hangar and holds over 4,000 books.[15][1]
