Founded in 1990, The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum is a private, non-profit, tax exempt Internal Revenue Code 501(c)3 corporation. The Museum's purpose is to maintain an educational institution dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and documentation of aviation and space history in Maryland, namely, the contributions of Glenn L. Martin and his successful company.
Operated by dedicated volunteers, the Museum is active in the cultural life of surrounding communities and has begun to extend its activities state-wide. The Museum is certified by the U.S. Navy and Army; Air Force certification is being pursued. All funds required for the acquisition, restoration, maintenance, and display of museum material are derived from individual and corporate donations. Members of the Museum share a desire to preserve aviation history and we welcome all those who share the same interests.
Public Education
Located at Martin State Airport, Middle River, Maryland (near Baltimore), the Museum operates as a traditional museum. On display are many items of Maryland historical significance; industrial models of aircraft and rockets, wind tunnel models, restored and partly restored aircraft, and many original photographs outlining the growth of the Martin Company and its people. An effort has been made to chronologically depict this growth from its beginnings in Santa Ana, California, to its current standing as the Lockheed Martin Corporation. The Museum also spotlights aviation history in the State of Maryland. Unknown to most, our country's earliest manned flight took place right here in Maryland.
The Museum's educational efforts seek to inspire visitors - particularly young people - with the story of technological change and its origins in individuals, organizations, and previous technologies, plus its effects on the lives and futures of individuals and communities. These developments are exemplified in exhibits showing the progress of aviation and space technology throughout Maryland, including the story of Glenn L. Martin, his company, and the Eastern Baltimore County communities created by Martin workers. The Museum's core exhibits are supplemented by rotating displays. In addition to its exhibits, the Museum's educational mission provides a superb monthly speaker program featuring notable speakers on important aerospace topics. Thousands of visitors have toured the Museum or attended the lectures. They include school groups, aviation enthusiasts and professionals, veterans, and senior citizens.
Collections
Home to the world's oldest airport, three major aircraft manufacturers and many smaller ones, the first commuter airline, and countless other aviation innovations, Maryland has a rich aviation and space heritage in danger of loss (see information on the new museum initiative).
Over fifteen years, the Museum has collected thirteen historic aircraft; thousands of original motion picture films, plans, documents, research models, aircraft tools, and components; and a gigantic indexed collection of more than 200,000 aviation and company photographs (see information on the Museum's accomplishments). These archives have supported documentary films and numerous publications. Without the efforts of the Museum these research materials would not be available to the public; many of the collection's artifacts would have been destroyed.
But much remains to be preserved.
Community
Operated by dedicated volunteers, the Museum is active in the cultural life of surrounding communities and has begun to extend its activities state-wide.
