THE CRADLE OF AVIATION, It's a museum of many firsts!
Written: Jan 08 '04 (Updated Oct 20 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A very comprehensive museum studying flight and specifically how Long Island was involved.
Cons: Just too much detail to study and learn about in one or two visits.
The Bottom Line: This museum is excellent for the young and those of any age.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Cradle of Aviation Museum |
I have now been to this museum twice. I loved it both times and I can't wait to go back again. If you have any interest in air flight, its history, its mechanics , stories of the past, where it is now, and have any inkling of wonder about what the future may bring, this is a place you will absolutely love.
As one drives up to the museums abundant and free parking lot you immediately see the greenish tint of the glassed in three story lobby area. Right away you know you are in for a treat.
IN A NUTSHELL
The following information is to spare those who do not have time to read this full review.
This place is great for kids and adults. Air flight and History enthusiasts will LOVE this place.
It is a self guided museum loaded with original, rebuilt, and replica kites, planes, jets, helicopters, rockets, and two real Lunar Modules.
Much of the museum highlights early flight and the Long Island contribution to it.
Most of the museum is a couple of levels high so you can see many air craft from different angles.
There are many hands on displays that are fun and educational for kids and adults.
The help, both paid and volunteer, are full of information they are very willing to share. They are stationed in different parts of the halls and hangers.
There are a few flight simulators type amusements for kids.
An IMAX Theatre is part of the complex.
Each time I have been there it is well manned, not crowded, clean and easy to get around in.
It has a food court and museum store.
THE LOBBY
Hanging well above the ground floor level you see a Grumman built F-11A. This plane was used by the famed "Blue Angels" and is decked out in their easily recognized colour and markings. Also above your head is a 1929 Fleet biplane that was used by the Roosevelt Aviation School for pilot training. A much more modern craft is a 1981 sail plane that is like many still used today on the eastern end of Long Island. Another recent flying machine is a Paramotor which looks like a kite with a big fan under it with a man in an open cockpit. This was built in nearby Oyster Bay
Poised in the middle of a flight is a Gyrodyne rotorcycle that looks like a one man primitive helicopter. This is one of only three that survived the steel dumps.
A sport parachutist, way up near the buildings rooftop, is about ready to open his canopy to slow down his descent to earth. Not to be outdone is a shuttle astronaut suspended in space wearing a MMU, Manned Maneuvering Unit. All this is available to be seen and you haven't even been to the admission desk yet.
The immense lobby is three levels high. This gives you the opportunity to see these air craft from different perspectives of being under, on level with and in some cases above them.
In the back of the lobby area you can see the control center for the IMAX theatre that has one show or another on the hour. Yes, that's right there is a state of the art IMAX right in the same building!
SOME BASICS
For General Info:
Phone: 516-572-4111
Fax: 516-572-4079
http://www.cradleofaviation.org
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 10 am to 2 pm
Wednesday through Sunday - 10 am to 5 pm
Due to limited capacity, timed tickets may be issued
(I never experienced crowds)
IMAX® Theater shows:
Every hour on the hour
Tuesday - 10 am to 1 pm
Wednesday through Friday - 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday & Sunday - 10 am to 5 pm
Doors open at 9:30 am
Red Planet Caff hours:
Wednesday through Sunday - 10 am to 4 pm
Tuesday - 10 am to 2 pm
Ticket Pricing Schedule:
Tickets are sold at various prices depending on combinations, ages and group rates. Go to their web site if you need detailed pricing. Basic admission without the IMAX is $7.00 Adults, $6.00 Child 2-14. The IMAX alone is $8.50 and $6.50. Combinations help you save a bit of money. Seniors pay somewhere in between Adult and Child price points.
* Child: 2-14 years
** Senior Citizen: 62
Postal address:
Cradle of Aviation
One Davis Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Street address:
Charles Lindbergh Blvd.
Garden City, NY 11530
The museum has elevators for those who cannot manage the stairs. Everything on each level is flat and easy to navigate whether with strollers or wheelchairs.
Clean restrooms are on all levels. They also have fountains with nice cool water.
In the lobby is a coat check. I recommend using it so you can have a relaxed and comfortable experience in the many exhibits.
THE AURORA GALLERY
After the purchase of tickets you are given a guide to the museum. Be sure to take time to read it. It offers a good overview and introduction of what there is in the hangers.
Right off the lobby to the left is a room with some hands on learning experiences that the kids can do. Ha, I was there the second time on my own and I was at all the controls myself.
You can lay down on you belly in the mock cockpit of the 1903 Write Flyer and see what it may have felt like reaching out to the lever controls of the first successful airplane.
You have the same opportunity on their 1911 model too. In this one you actually sit.
At yet another display, I cranked the handle that showed how the pistons moved up and down in an air craft engine. The engine was cut open so you could see the action within.
I did my best at landing one of two model sized helicopters. My best would have cost a lot of equipment. It's not as easy as it seems. I enjoyed the challenge.
GIFT SHOP and RESTAURANT
Across, on the other side of the lobby, is a very nice and good sized museum store, the Saturn Shop. All kinds of books, magazines, jackets, hats, video tapes and other flight related items were available for purchase. They had a nice selection of model planes too.
The Red Planet Cafe is in the back area of the lobby. They sell burgers, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and drinks cafeteria style. I would suggest seeking food elsewhere before of after visiting the museum. The prices are high and the value is low. Now if you have a few extra dollars and feel that the money is going to a good cause, by all means, eat up.
THE FLIGHT MUSEUM, The Donald E. Axinn Exhibit Hall
Most of the museum is set in the original hangers that housed planes years before "Mitchel Field" closed. This is the actual site of the airport. A lot of history was made on these grounds and the surrounding Hempstead Plains. There is a ton of history gathered within the walls of these two hangers. There is actually one more hanger that has even more to see. It is still being finished up and should be open this coming spring. It has already been open on some weekends.
I liked the fact that you are first brought into the hall on a level above the ground. You get a glimpse of all you are about to see up close. There are some pieces that, from the raised vantage point, you can almost reach out and touch. Once again, you get to see craft from another perspective.
After this upper view, stairs take you down to the ground level. All the exhibits that are presented in a time line. They include:
Dream of Wings 1870-1903
The Hempstead Plains 1904-1913
World War I 1914-1918
The Golden Age 1919-1939
World War II 1940-1945
The Jet age 1946-1995
Aviation today 1995-
The Dream of Wings tells us the story of early attempts of flight. Balloon and kite type craft were some of those first used. This is all done through drawing boards, Photos, and there is even a hands on section showing how thrust, lift, and control make flight possible.
I particularly liked the setting on the Hempstead Plains. This was a huge area of Long Island that contains one of the few prairies east of the Mississippi River. This open flat land was the perfect place where flight could be experimented with and training could take place.
This featured the early planes and some of the first flyers, both men and woman who were daring adventurers and accomplished many "firsts" in aviation. Here you see some of the planes and see and learn through film, dioramas, and artifacts the infancy of flight and how it started to grow.
The area dedicated to World War I had a very small sit down theatre with archived films. More aircraft are on display. It was explained that Long Island was where much aviation training took place and the flyers trained here accomplished "firsts" in combat experience. This era also brought in immense growth to the Long Island defense industry.
The Golden Age tells us more about flight, growth of Long Island aviation firms, and more "firsts" in flight. This is the time when commercial use of planes began.
Let me take a moment to present to you some of the firsts I learned about in this part of the museum and preceding parts.
1873 brought the first attempted Atlantic crossing in a balloon. The flight lasted only four hours and ended up in Connecticut.
In 1902 America's first powered flight was accomplished over Coney Island with an engine powered air ship.
1909 Glenn Curtis sets a flight distance record of 16 miles flying over the Hempstead Plains.
Also in 1909 a Dr Walden built the first American biplane in this same area.
In 1910 Bessica Raiche was the first American woman to pilot a plane. This was also done over the Hempstead Plains.
A year later in 1911 Harriet Quimbly became the first licensed American woman pilot.
1911 also brought the first official airmail. The plane took off from Garden City and flew over a designated area where it would, literally, drop the mail for Mineola businesses and residents.
1915 brought war and also the first aviators to see military action were trained on the Hempstead plains.
Lawrence Sperry flew his airiel torpedo over the Great south Bay in 1918. This is Americas first guided missile.
In 1919 a Curtis NC-4 flew from Long Island to the Azores, making it the first plane to cross the Atlantic.
In 1919 a British Derigable landed at Long Islands Roosevelt field. It turned around and flew back to England. This was the first round trip trans atlantic flight.
1922 was when the first public flight of a black woman, Bessie Coleman, was noted in a flight exhibition.
1927 presented was one of the most memorable feats of man. Charles Lindbergh flew his "Spirit of St Louis" from Long Island's Mitchel Field to Paris in a non stop 33 hour 30 minute flight across the Atlantic.
The sister ship of the Spirit of St Louis hangs in this museum. The original is in Washington DCs Air and Space Museum. I hope to do a review of that wonderful museum in the near future.
In October of 1929 Elinor Smith became the first and only person to ever fly under four East River bridges. These are the spans that connect NYC and Long Island.
In 1929 the first blind flight ever was done over Long Island. No the guy wasn't blind, he flew by instruments only, equipment that was designed and manufactured on Long Island.
I didn't note the year but the first commercial purchase ever happened on Long Island.
Another date I didn't note was an early Flight by a Garden City, Long Island dentist who was the first American to ever fly a monoplane.
I'll stop here. There happen to be many, many more Long Island firsts before, after, and during this same time period. I just wanted to stress how many "firsts" did happen here on Long Island and why the title "Cradle of Aviation" holds true.
THE TIME LINE CONTINUES
WWII brought in many more changes in aircraft. Experimental new flying machines were constantly being designed and built on the Island. We learn more about Leroy Grumman who was to eventually own on of the biggest and most important aviation businesses ever on Long Island.
Many more aircraft of the era are on display as are early jets from the "Jet Age. More film, original and rebuilt aircraft, and more artifacts bring these areas to life.
It was noted that Long Islanders see more different kinds of aircraft flying above us than any other people in the world. They had models of 29 planes and jets asking if we could recognize what they were. The only one I knew for sure was an airbus 320 with the markings of Jet Blue on it. oh yes, there was another. That was the Concord, the SST. Unfortunately that ceased flying its trans Atlantic route just this past year.
Americans will be building their own SST in the near future. No not a full sized working new model, but a half sized aircraft being flown to the states in pieces ready for assembly and then to be displayed outside, possibly near the museums entrance.
The jet age also includes rocketry. I read on one of the boards that in 1859 a whaler by the name of Captain Roy developed a solid fuel rocket that was shoulder fired harpoon that worked. Yes, 1859!!
Rocket scientist Goddard was known by Lindbergh and he introduced Goddard to Long Islander Guggenheim. Guggenheim then helped finance most of Goddard's early rocketry experiments. There are many rockets on display.
QUICK BREAK WITH TRIVIA
Who was Roosevelt Field the airport, and later Roosevelt Field the mega Mall shopping center named after? I had never really thought about it and thought that it may have been Teddy Roosevelt, a Long Islander of Rough Riders fame who became the president of the United States.
It wasn't named after him. It was named after his youngest son Quinton who was killed in action while flying a plane over Germany in WWI in 1918.
I also found out that Mitchel Field was named after a former mayor of NYC who was killed in training in 1918.
One more quick question about a Long Island "first". Who was the first president to ever fly in a plane. Yes, Teddy Roosevelt who made Long Islands, Sagamore Hill,his summer home. I love reading and learning about all these things that are so clearly displayed at the museum.
Charles Lindbergh's first plane was a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny". It is here in the museum. He used it while "barn storming across the states. What I thought was interesting is that after a time he no longer owned it. Many years later it was said that someone out west had possession of it. Lindbergh took a trip out to see if it was his "Jenny", indeed it was. There were little things about the machine that he knew made it his. One item was his initials carved into one of the parts of the plane. That carving is in its own display in the museum. Its the many touches like that that make this museum come alive.
There is also one other dimension of this museum that makes it come alive and this happens particularly in one of the last exhibits in the museum. More in a moment.
THE LUNAR MODULE
This was pretty exciting stuff to me. This museum has not one but two of the original crafts built by Grummans for the landing and exploration of the moon.
By going through a separate entranceway you come upon the first LEM ever built. This was for research purposes. One noticeable difference between this and subsequent LEMs was that the hatch entrance/exit was round. After trial and era they found out that the astronauts, with their square cornered back packs on, could not get in and out of the craft. Talk about a square peg in a round hole.
Now I didn't know this information on my own and that takes me to the other reason this museum comes alive. There are volunteers in this museum that actually worked with Grummans and know some of the equipment. These guys really know their stuff. They have in turn shared their enthusiasm and knowledge with other volunteers and paid staff. I had one fellow, whose name I unfortunately misplaced and don't remember happened to be in on his day off. These guys live and love this place. He explained so much he learned from others who worked there and from people in the field who have come to the museum. He had Navy background and worked a destroyer that was part of recovery team when our astronauts were returning to Earth.
The second LEM they have on display was built for the last mission to the moon, Apolo 18, a mission that was canceled before it could be flown.
This is set as the first Lunar Module to land on the moon was when it landed. It is on a moon surface made to replicate the terrain where the LEM landed. It is an amazing setting. You really feel like you are on another world. I only wish my weight reflected the weight while up there.
I thought it very cool to look up and see the earth in the distance as it would be seen from the moon. A lot of detail has been put into this display.
Between the two LEM settings is a room that shows a movie depicting the race to space, the promise of President Kennedy to get a man on the moon before the end of the sixties, and the future of exploration.
After leaving the LEM room be sure to see the simulator that is the one and only actual piece of equipment that all the astronauts trained on.
UPON LEAVING
I was more excited about this place the second time I went. There was so much I absorbed this time than the last. Small things I saw or were pointed out. The Russians donated a Sputnic that is a sister to the one that they put up in the late 1950's.
I read much about tours for school classes. I encourage any Teachers and PTA people to set up class trips to this place. The IMAX and simulators are always a draw, however, be sure the kids get enough time to listen to the history that some of the workers and volunteers bring to life with their stories.
playing at the IMAX in this museum
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag
Long Island Our Story A must read about Long Island's past present and future by Newsday
Long Island Destinations and Eats
Borrelli's Italian Restaurant Good Eats and not far from the Cradle of Aviation Museum
Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center
Marriot Hotel Five minutes from the Cradle of Aviation Museum
The Long Island Children's Museum, LICM A wonderful "hands on" learning experience
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Freeport's Nautical Mile A wonderful summer destination!!
Freeport's South Street Seaport
Rachel's Waterside Grill great eats on the canal
Otto's Sea GrillSeafood in Freeport, a party too!
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
The Maize Maze in Bridgehampton Family Fun!
An Excellent book of Long Island Destinations
Discover Long Island: Exploring The Great Places From Sea To Sound
Recommended:
Yes
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