About Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center

Globally recognized as the “Birthplace of Aviation,” the great state of Ohio is home to a diverse pantheon of trailblazing aviators and astronauts, advocates and entrepreneurs, inventors and engineers, and others whose enduring contributions and distinguished service have put Ohio at the forefront of flight since the first powered flight in 1903.

Surprisingly, up until now Ohio has not had an appropriate organization and place with which to prominently honor its own true heroes and legends of flight. To serve in that role, the Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center (Ohio Air & Space) has been established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, its core mission being to permanently preserve the inspiring legacies of this state’s outstanding pioneers of flight and publicly herald their achievement, both as a point of pride and to foster continued innovation.

Serving to connect students, scholars and visitors with the compelling achievements of Ohioans like the Wright Brothers, Eddie Rickenbacker, John Glenn, Jerrie Mock, and Neil Armstrong – to name but a few, Ohio Air & Space will be an education force-multiplier for all ages.

Thanks to a State of Ohio cornerstone grant of $550,000, City funding of $275,000, and support from private funders, such as NetJets, the Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center will soon house its interactive exhibits, displays, and artifacts at Port Columbus, where they will be accessible to students, educators, scholars and the public. The Ohio Air & Space mission will be augmented through on-site and state-wide educational programming presenting speakers, seminars, festivals, ceremonies and visiting aircraft significant to Ohio's heritage of flight.

Ohioans have led mankind from soaring over Huffman Prairie to walking on the lunar surface, helping shape our state, our nation and our world in countless positive ways. Please support the Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center as we celebrate this remarkable legacy and ensure Ohio continues to lead the way in air and space.