Cradle of Aviation Museum

05/30/2026

Long Island MacArthur Airport

05/30/2026

May 29, 1910, Glenn H. Curtiss made the first long-distance airplane flight between two major American cities, flying from Albany to New York City.

Flying his Curtiss Albany Flyer, Curtiss followed the Hudson River south, making stops along the route before landing at Governors Island in New York Harbor.

With no cockpit or flight instruments, Curtiss relied on sight and skill, dressed in fishing waders, motorcycle goggles, and a cork life vest in case he had to ditch into the water.

Curtiss also carried a letter from Albany’s mayor to New York City’s mayor.

For completing the flight, Curtiss earned a $10,000 prize offered by publisher Joseph Pulitzer and permanent possession of the Scientific American Trophy.

05/29/2026

The Grumman G-21 Goose made its first flight from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation in Bethpage, Long Island, NY.

The Goose was Grumman’s first twin-engine aircraft, first monoplane to fly, and first aircraft to enter commercial airline service.

Originally designed as an eight-seat commuter aircraft, it operated from both land and water and later served commercial and military roles.

These images show the Goose from different points in its history — construction at the Grumman plant in Bethpage and operations at Downtown Skyport in Manhattan.

See a Grumman G-21 Goose on display in our Golden Age Gallery.

We're open all weekend, 10 am - 5 pm.

05/28/2026

https://youtu.be/h0lAIXFhjH8?si=tNSNPU9hsqFiA_Mb&t=1042

Big thank you to ABC7NY Eyewitness News for featuring Museum Row in Garden City as part of “Kickoff to a Long Island Summer!”

Great to see the Cradle of Aviation Museum highlighted alongside our neighbors at the Long Island Children's Museum and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum & Education Center.

Thanks as well to our Executive Director, Jen Baxmeyer, for helping share Long Island’s aviation and aerospace story and the hands-on experiences families can explore here all summer long.

Hope to see you soon!

Watch our segment here

Join David Novarro, Sandra Bookman, Brittany Bell and the Eyewitness News team for "Kickoff to a Long Island Summer!"Check out more - http://abc7ny.com/longi...

05/28/2026

Thank you, Newsday TV, for spending the day with us at the Museum and covering NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineers studying the Apollo Lunar Module Simulator as part of preparations for America’s next moon landing.

Long Island’s connection to space exploration continues — from the Lunar Module to the future of returning to the Moon.

https://tv.newsday.com/watch/long-island/nassau/nasa-apollo-lunar-module-cradle-of-aviation-uniondale-x6r0qvar

Schnapp

A team of NASA engineers is studying the Apollo Lunar Module on display at the Cradle of Aviation in Uniondale in preparation of America's next moon landing.

05/28/2026

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Downlink live at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

From aboard the International Space Station, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, astronaut Jessica Meir is live in an in-flight interview with students at the Museum.

Join us as they discuss life and work aboard the orbital outpost.

From aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir will participate in an in-flight interview with students at 11:05 a.m. ET on May 28,...

05/28/2026

Today, over 300 students from across Long Island will have the incredible opportunity to speak live with astronaut Meir aboard the International Space Station during a special STEM downlink hosted at the Museum.

While this is a private student educational program, media are welcome beginning at 11 a.m. for coverage opportunities, and interviews surrounding this exciting Earth-to-space conversation focused on STEM, exploration, and inspiring the next generation.

Students in New York will hear from NASA astronaut Jessica Meir as she answers their prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

05/28/2026

Thank you to Newsday for spending the afternoon with us.

Great article in today’s paper, highlighting
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s visit to the Museum to study our historic Lunar Module Simulator.

Proud to see Long Island’s aerospace history and Grumman’s contributions to the space program continue to connect to the future of lunar exploration and mission research.

Joshua Stoff

05/27/2026

May 27, 1930, aviator Roscoe Turner departed Roosevelt Field on Long Island and set a new east-to-west transcontinental speed record.

Flying a Lockheed Air Express, Turner completed the flight to Grand Central Airport in California in 18 hours, 42 minutes, and 30 seconds despite strong headwinds along the westbound route.

The flight added another major aviation milestone to Roosevelt Field’s history during the Golden Age of Flight.

Turner later became known not only for record-setting flights, but also for traveling with his pet lion cub, Gilmore.

05/26/2026

Last Day of Our Online Memorial Day Flash Sale

Today is the last day to save 20% on online store purchases.

Discount automatically applies at checkout.

Online only.

*Excludes memberships and birthday party bags.

https://store.cradleofaviation.org/