THE EVOLUTION OF NAVAL AVIATION AND ITS RDT&E MUSEUM

Fly through yesterday, today and tomorrow...that is what the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is all about. It is about the United States Navy's scientific and technological research, development, testing and evaluation of its aircraft and support systems to meet its global mission of furthering our national interests on the high seas. In October of 1911 Lt. Ellyson USN and Lt. Taylor USN took the Navy's first airplane the A-1 Curtis hydroaeroplane, for an early sea trial. They lifted off from Annapolis, flew south along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. They put down near the Cedar Point lighthouse, pulled the plane on the beach and repaired the carburetor, and then flew south on to Smith Point, Virginia. 

In 1943 Cedar Point became the Patuxent River Air Station and the home of all naval aircraft testing and evaluation. (Main Gate in 1943 to left)

In 1945 a school was started to train test pilots.

In 1958 this school officially became the United States Naval Test Pilot School.

Our museum is a culmination of the dreams and hard work of many Navy officials (military and civilian), local military support organizations, St. Mary's County Maryland commissioners, community groups, and aircraft industry representatives. 

These dreams started back in the early 1970's. The museum team forged a vision to preserve the history, breakthroughs and current accomplishments at Patuxent River in naval aviation the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E).

The shared vision for historical preservation and education gradually coalesced into reality with the establishment of a steering group in late 1974. This group prepared the necessary incorporating papers and  bylaws, and introduced legislation to the Maryland General Assembly. The Naval Air Test and Evaluation Museum (NATEM) Association was approved and established as a non-profit, tax exempt organization in the State of Maryland on 14 March 1975. The Navy provided the current building and grounds in 1976 and the museum opened its doors to the public in July l978. In 1978, the Museum was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy as one of the ten official Navy museums. 

In 1997, we changed our name to the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum (PRNAM) to reflect the broader scope of our mission - to embrace all of the RDT&E of U.S. Navy aircraft.

In 1997 with the arrival of the headquarters of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River became the center for all of the Navy's aviation research, development, testing and evaluation. The mission of the Museum was changed to include NAVAIR as well as the new vision for the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. 

In 1998 with the physical growth of Naval Air Station Patuxent River and its environs, it became apparent that a new Museum must be built. A partnership committee was formed consisting of the Navy, St. Mary's County, the State of Maryland and the Museum's nonprofit association to find a site and seek the funding to design and construct the new Museum, which will include a gateway Visitors Center.

The site was found and purchased on the northeast corner of Gate 1 to the Naval Air Station. The new temporary museum is open adjacent to the site of the new Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Financial support from the Navy, the County, State and Museum has been earmarked. The design and construction of the new museum started in the latter part of 2000 and will continue until 2004.

If you are interested in making a significant contribution to our capital campaign, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Capital Campaign
P.O. Box 323
Patuxent River MD 20670

Telephone: 301-863-1900
Facsimile: 301-863-5048
Email: association@paxmuseum.com

.