March Field Air Museum in Riverside celebrates new exhibit space, attainment of national accreditation

The March Field Air Museum in Riverside is celebrating two milestones this weekend: The multi-million dollar expansion of its exhibit space and national accreditation.

The Air Museum has spread its wings into a 26,000 square foot jet hanger, transforming it into an exhibit hall and educational center for would-be pilots and astronauts.

“Thirty percent of the population of this region is under 18, one of the highest in the nation," said Air Museum Board director Jamil Dada.

“So while we were preserving a future for our past with the military, we wanted to give it an education mission and we thought space would be great. And we’re planning to have aircraft simulators and space and aircraft themes," Dada said.

The Air Museum will soon acquire nearly $30 million of NASA artifacts, including parts from the retired fleet of space shuttles. The museum is also now eligible to host aeronautical exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution. That’s because the Air Museum just earned accreditation from the American Association of Museums.

“You know it’s like a seal of approval and what it says is you meet or exceed national standards. And what it does for us is we’ll be able to attract travelling exhibits from the Smithsonian and it opens us up for grants and funding from private foundations and corporations all over the country," Dada said.

Dada says he hopes the educational theme of the Air Museum’s new exhibit space will draw student field trips and youth groups. The converted jet hanger opens its doors to the public this weekend.