Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Author:
McKim, Mead & White  Search this
Subject:
National Air and Space Museum  Search this
National Air Museum (U.S.)  Search this
Physical description:
Number of Images: 1; Color: Black and white; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Model, Exterior; Medium: Photographic Print
Type:
Photographic print
Exterior
Place:
Washington (D.C.)
Date:
1955
Category:
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes:
In 1958, President Eisenhower authorized the preparation of plans for the construction of a building for a National Air Museum, to be located on a site bounded by Fourth and Seventh Streets SW, Independence Avenue, and Jefferson Drive. The 1964 design by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) for "a Museum for the Space Age" was selected. However, their initial design was later modified. In July 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law a bill authorizing construction of a new building for the newly-renamed National Air and Space Museum (NASM). Congressional passage of appropriations for the construction of the new museum occurred in 1971. The final design was approved in 1972 and construction began in November of 1972. The museum opened July 1, 1976.
Preliminary design for a National Air Museum on a proposed site in the Washington, D.C. Southwest Redevelopment area bounded by Independence Avenue, 9th Street,12th Street, and C Street, Southwest. That area is a part of what is now known as L'Enfant Plaza.
HOK were the architects selected. However, their original design was revised and this became the final design.
For the 1972 final design by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK), see Neg. SIA2017-018111 through 018119, SIA2017-018122 through SIA2017-018134, and 94-2479. See also Neg. SIA2017-018095 through SIA2017-018101 for initial design by HOK. For other designs for a proposed new National Air Museum see: United States, Public Building Administration 1949; McKim, Mead & White 1955; Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson 1962; and HOK's preliminary design of 1964..
Summary:
Looking downward, a concept model called the "Wineglass Design", submitted by McKim, Mead & White, Architects, for new National Air Museum (now known as the National Air and Space Museum) shows the roof for the proposed building and with airplanes in various locations. This design was not chosen.
Contained within:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 07-010, Box 3, Folder: 6
Contact information:
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Topic:
Models  Search this
Aeronautical museums  Search this
New Museums  Search this
Museums  Search this
Airplanes  Search this
Museum buildings  Search this
Architectural design  Search this
Architecture--Design and plans  Search this
Standard number:
SIA2017-018103
Restrictions & Rights:
No restrictions
Data Source:
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sic_14759