Our new exhibit "Firsts in Flight: A Hidden History," tells visitors about significant contributions made by African Americans -- particularly by African American women -- to our country's history of aviation and space flight.
One half of the circular hall exhibit focuses on African American contributors to aviation in the first part of the 20th Century -- from Emory Conrad Malik to the Tuskegee Airmen. This side is mainly organized around pioneering aviator Bessie Coleman and the people and events she inspired.
The other half of the circular hall exhibit highlight's contributions made to space flight by African American women in the second half of the 20th Century. This side is mainly organized around women who began their NASA careers as “computers” at Langley and other research centers.
Want to learn more about these fascinating women? Watch our videos: Trailblazers and Heroes: African Americans Who Flew First and Doing the Math for NASA: African American 'Human Computers.
Admission to "Firsts in Flight: A Hidden History" is free, and the exhibit is open during public visitation hours (Saturday-Sunday during the school year; Tuesday-Sunday during the summer).
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sundays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.