The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is a museum at Lexington Park, Maryland, first opened in 1978, which preserves and interprets the Naval Air Station Patuxent River history and heritage of advancing US naval aviation technology with artifacts, photographs and film, documents, and related heritage memorabilia from Patuxent River and other naval stations. The museum is dedicated to those who have employed their talents in advancing naval aviation research, development, testing, and evaluation.
History
In late 1974, a steering group was formed, which prepared the necessary incorporating papers and bylaws, and introduced legislation to the Maryland General Assembly. On 14 March 1975, the Naval Air Test and Evaluation Museum (NATEM) Association was approved and established as a non-profit, tax exempt organization in the State of Maryland. In 1976, the Navy provided the current building and grounds in Lexington Park, Maryland, and the museum opened its doors to the public in July 1978. In 1978, the Museum was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy as one of the ten official Navy museums.[2] The museum later lost that official designation around 2016, due to federal budget restructuring.[3][4]
In 2015, the museum acquired a mural that had been on display at the officer’s club of the neighboring naval air station.[5]
On May 28, 2016, the museum opened a new building.[6] In 2018, a new collections management facility was added.[7][8]
Facilities
The museum is composed of three buildings: A and B, which are exhibit galleries and C, which is used for collections storage.[9]
^Reid, Michael (15 December 2021). "Gray announced as new executive director at Patuxent Naval Air Museum". Southern Maryland News. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
^"About Us". Pax River Naval Museum. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^"Issue 34 A visit to the PAX River Naval Air Museum". Aviation History Museums. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
^"Navy test pilot school mural raised from ruin at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum". DVIDS. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
^Atkielski, Jacqui (2 June 2016). "Naval Air Museum hosts grand opening weekend". TheBayNet.com. TheBayNet.com. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"Exhibits". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
^"Hoyer Attends Opening of the Newly Renovated Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Flight Technology Hall and Collections Management Facility". U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
^Goodell, Jessica (23 March 2015). "Patuxent River Naval Air Museum expansion in full swing". TheBayNet.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
^"LOCKHEED MARTIN X-35C JSF DEMONSTRATOR". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"LING-TEMCO-VOUGHT A-7A CORSAIR II". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4J PHANTOM II". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"MCDONNELL DOUGLAS NA-4M SKYHAWK". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F/A-18A HORNET". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"NORTH AMERICAN RA-5C VIGILANTE (FORMERLY A-3J)". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"NORTH AMERICAN ROCKWELL T-39D SABRELINER". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^Cipolloni, Donna (10 November 2016). "U.S. Naval Test Pilot School's T-38 is in the house". Tester. DC Military. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"Its reign in the fleet over, naval Sea King helicopter now rests at Pax Museum". NAVAIR News. U.S. Navy. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
^"Gallery 2". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^"Navy Serial Number Search Results". cgibin.rcn.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^"SIKORSKY CH-53A SEA STALLION". Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2018.