Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey

Specialties

The mission of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of NJ is to educate the general public about New Jersey’s unparalleled 220 year contribution to the development of human flight and also to encourage young people to consider a career in the aerospace industry. This is accomplished through the display of aircraft, engines, artifacts, models and other New Jersey aviation-​related exhibits (some interactive) ranging chronologically from the 18^th Century to the present day. Our goal is also supported by formal tours of the facility, «Dare to Fly» team programs, Open-​Cockpit Weekends and by sponsoring an annual air expo at Teterboro Airport. In addition, each year, three individuals who have made historic contributions to New Jersey aerospace progress are inducted into our Hall of Fame.

History

Established in 1972.

Three years after the chartering of the Aviation Hall of Fame in 1972 our first public facility was opened atop the old Teterboro control tower astride the Atlantic Aviation hangar. Our offices and exhibit areas took up the two highest floors.

In 1980 the museum signed a lease with the Airport for the use of a 1.23 acre plot of land on the East side of the field. This land became the site of what were called the «Phase 1» and «Phase 2» building plan. The first phase was the construction of a modestly sized «Education Center» to supplement the public facilities already in existence in the old tower. Groundbreaking for the structure took place in the spring of 1984 and it was finished and officially opened in March of 1985 with 1600 sq. ft. of space. The educational center was initially only open on a part time basis because of the «split nature» of the physical operation at that time.

In 1987 the museum received a $ 250,000 donation from the Wehran family to enable the construction of