National Air and Space Museum to Soon Open New Galleries

Five aviation-themed exhibits are set to welcome visitors in late July.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, July 03, 2025 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

An artist rendering of the ‘Boeing Milestones of Flight’ exhibit, set to open on July 28 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. [Courtesy: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]

Key Takeaways:

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will open five new galleries on July 28 as a significant milestone in its ongoing multiyear renovation.
The new exhibits explore diverse topics including aerospace's role in climate change, futures in space exploration, the golden age of aviation, and World War I military aviation.
Visitors can expect to see both new artifacts and returning favorites, such as John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7 capsule and Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Vega.
The comprehensive renovation project, which began in 2018, is scheduled to be fully completed by July 1, 2026.

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The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum‘s massive renovation is getting closer to the finish line as with the opening of five new galleries in July.

Starting on July 28, in Washington, D.C., the museum will welcome visitors to view “Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall,” “Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight,” Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery, “World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation,” and “Futures in Space.”