Groundbreaking Ceremonies

On October 25, 2000, ground was officially broken for the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport. The ceremony started with a fly-by of four F/A-18A's flown by pilots of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321), known as the "Hell's Angels," a Marine Air Reserve unit located at the Naval Air Facility on Andrews Air Force Base. As the jets flew over, they closed their formation, symbolizing how supporters will close the gap between the money already received and that needed to complete construction.

Gen. John R. Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum, explained the importance of the Center to the preservation of aviation and space history and the education of our youth. Joining him were: Lawrence M. Small, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; Chief Justice of the United States William H. Rehnquist, chancellor of the Smithsonian; The Honorable John R. Hager, lieutenant governor, Commonwealth of Virginia; and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, for whom the Center was named in appreciation of his $60 million donation.

Christine, Courtney, and Steven Udvar-Hazy turn the first shovels-full of red Virginia soil. At their right are Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lawrence M. Small and Director of the National Air and Space Museum John R. Dailey. 62k JPEG Photo by Carolyn Russo ©2000 Smithsonian Institution, 2000-10491-20A

See more Groundbreaking photos