Moffett Field Museum

Did you know that in the heart of Silicon Valley, you can experience the era of giant airships and secret aviation developments? The Moffett Field Museum is a unique space in the city of Mountain View, dedicated to the rich history of the federal airfield of the same name. It is a place where naval aviation legends and technical achievements that changed the face of modern aviation in the USA come to life.

The museum is located in historical Building 126, right across from the monumental Hangar One. This hangar is considered one of the world's largest freestanding structures and serves as a silent reminder of the times when massive airships ruled the skies over California. The museum's collection, maintained by the efforts of the historical society's enthusiasts, spans the period from the 1930s to the present day.

Here, visitors can see not only aircraft models but also rare artifacts: from electronic warfare equipment to the daily items used by NASA and Navy crews. The Moffett Field Museum is not just a collection of exhibits, but a tribute to Vice Admiral William Moffett and all those who forged the aviation glory of this region.

For more information about visiting or organizing group tours, you can use the museum's official contact details.

In the museum's halls, an immersion into the world of high technologies of the past and present awaits you. One of the central exhibitions is the collection dedicated to the airship USS Macon, where you can see unique silver service from the vessel and learn details about its service. Tech enthusiasts will appreciate the electronic warfare and navigation section, as well as the Link Trainer, where pilots once honed their skills.

The legendary high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft Lockheed U-2C, prepared for the exhibition, and the memorial display for Admiral Moffett with his personal awards attract special attention. For those interested in the details of daily life, there is an extensive collection of uniforms and crew survival gear. Younger visitors and model enthusiasts will surely enjoy the room with a detailed model railroad, recreating the atmosphere of a naval recreational center.

A walk around the museum grounds also allows you to see vintage aircraft outdoors and appreciate the scale of Hangar One. With convenient parking right at the entrance and the opportunity to chat with volunteers—who often share personal stories about serving at the base—the visit turns into an educational and comfortable adventure for the whole family.

The museum is located on the grounds of the Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View. For travelers driving by car, the most convenient way is to take the US-101 or CA-85 highway, looking for the massive silhouette of Hangar One, which is visible from afar. Free parking is provided directly in front of the museum entrance (Building 126).

If you prefer public transportation, you can use VTA (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority) buses, which stop near the airfield entrance. You can also take a taxi from downtown Mountain View or the nearest Caltrain commuter rail stations, which takes about 10–15 minutes.

The trip from San Francisco or San Jose takes between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic. Please note that the airfield is an active federal facility, so you may be required to show identification to enter—it is best to check the current access rules on the official website in advance.

The museum's history is inextricably linked to the development of aeronautics in the USA. Founded in 1994, it originally occupied an impressive 2,800 square meters right inside the legendary Hangar One. However, in 2002, due to changes in lease terms and fire safety requirements, the exhibition was temporarily closed, only to reopen three years later in Building 126—the former Navy recreation center.

The airfield itself was named after Vice Admiral William Moffett, a prominent advocate for the military use of airships. The Admiral died in 1933 during the crash of the airship Akron; today, the museum carefully preserves his personal belongings, including a duplicate of the Medal of Honor awarded for bravery in 1914. This place serves as a living reminder of the era of giant aircraft when Moffett Field was the base for the famous USS Macon airship.

Over the years, the museum has become a true time capsule. In fact, in 2007, an actual time capsule buried decades earlier was officially opened here. Although some contents suffered moisture damage, the event was a major milestone for the Moffett Field Historical Society, which continues to add unique aviation and electronics artifacts to its collection.

For a thoughtful tour of the main museum exhibition, most visitors need 1 to 2 hours. This is enough time to study the airship models, examine the details of uniforms from different eras, and explore the collection of navigation equipment.

If you are an avid aviation enthusiast or plan to spend time in the museum library and viewing the aircraft outdoors, you should set aside a bit more time. Don't forget to leave 15–20 minutes to take photos against the backdrop of the majestic Hangar One, located right across the street.

The museum's doors are open to visitors four days a week: from Wednesday to Saturday. Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The museum is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday.

Since the schedule may change on holidays or due to special events at the airfield, we strongly recommend checking the official website before your trip.

A visit to the aviation museum in Mountain View can easily be combined with exploring other technological and historical landmarks of Silicon Valley. The area surrounding the airfield is rich with sites related to space exploration and high-tech development.

Below are some interesting locations situated in the immediate vicinity of the museum: