Unfortunately, when it comes to aviation museums, the archival side of things often seems to be neglected in favor of the aircraft. Therefore, I was particularly happy when I came across
some documentation a while back about the building of the National Air and Space Museum's Dulles Collections Center Expansion. While it was hinted at in a
blog post about moving the museum's archives, the project has generally flown under the radar. If you're interested in the architectural design of a modern collections storage facility, it is some really informative reading. (For a similar large-volume, high-density storage concept, see the
ReCAP facility at the James Forrestal Campus of Princeton University, and for a cheaper option, the
Internet Archive's physical archive.)
Interestingly, easily missed on page 6 is a hint at another collections facility expansion. To the south of a small creek that crosses the property is the footprint of a large building. Not much information is available about this facility, but a video of a presentation during a 10 July 2014 meeting provides some details. Appearing at
1:38:35, it is labeled a "Large Object Prototype" and billed as a way to "reduce...reliance on leased collections storage space". It has been clear for years that NASM has wanted to move out of the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Silver Hill, Maryland. There have been mentions of transporting everything to Dulles, as suggested in a
blog post. However, I could never figure out how everything would fit in the available space. This appears to be the solution.
These documents come from the National Capital Planning Commission, which has reports and presentations on number of other NASM related projects:
Finally, a rendering of the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar that was built by
Hensel Phelps:
Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar of the National Air and Space MuseumInterior(Source:
Smithsonian Magazine)
EDIT (24-06-30): In regards to what will replace the Silver Hill Facility if and when the Dulles Collections Center is completed, according to the
Suitland Collections Center Master Plan, the buildings will be demolished and replaced by a series of 6 collections storage "Pods" and additional buildings in a "Campus Quad" layout. The first phase of this project, the
construction of Building 38, has already been completed.
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Tri-State Warbird Museum Collections Manager & Museum Attendant
Warbird Philosophy Webmaster